THE 


•EARLY  HISTORY 


H  I  G  A  N, 


FROM  THE  FIRST  SETTLEMENT  TO  1815. 


BY  E 


NEW  YOKE : 

A.  S.  BARNES  &  COMPANY,  51  &  53  JOHN-ST. 

DETROIT :— KEKE,  MORLEY  &  CO. 

1856. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  186o, 

BY  A.  S.  BARNKS  &  CO., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the  Southern 
District  of  New  York. 


RICHARD    C    VALENTINE, 
bT«.«OTTP,E    AND     KLKOTROT TPIBT,  GEORGE    W.  WOOD     Pnnt| 

""  corner  "f  Pnltcn.  No  2  Dutch  -street 

NEW     YOKK. 


TO 

HON.   LEWIS    CASS, 

SECOND    GOVERNOR    OF    MICHIGAN, 

WHOSE   JUDICIOUS   MANAGEMENT   OF   THE 

NUMEROUS     INDIAN     TEIBES     OF     THE     NORTHWEST 
SECURED   TO   THE 

PENINSULAR    STATE 

ITS   PEACEFUL   SETTLEMENT   AND   CONTINUED   PROSPERITY, 


f 

IS    RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED. 


200735 


DETROIT  IN   1796. 


PREFACE. 


THREE  years  since,  while  editing  a  literary  periodical  in  Detroit, 
I  commenced  the  publication  of  such  facts  as  I  could  obtain  con 
cerning  the  early  history  of  Michigan.  Hon.  Lewis  Cass  becom 
ing  interested  in  them,  generously  presented  me  with  a  large  col 
lection  of  manuscripts,  containing  official  and  narrative  letters 
relating  to  the  early  French  settlement,  which  he  procured  from 
the  Colonial  Archives  at  Paris,  during  his  residence  there  as 
Minister  Plenipotentiary.  On  examination  of  these  papers,  I 
found  them  interesting  and  valuable,  furnishing  many  links  in 
the  broken  chain  of  the  early  history  of  the  Northwest. 

Encouraged  by  the  commendation  and  proffered  assistance  of 
Eev.  H.  I^Kitchel,  Capt.  E.  B.  Ward,  Rev.  0.  C.  Thompson,  and 
Messrs.  U.  Tracy  Howe,  George  F.  Porter,  Henry  Hurlbut,  and 
Robert  E.  Roberts,  of  Detroit,  I  undertook  the  task  of  translating 
and  compiling  the  manuscripts,  hoping  thereby  to  be  of  some 
service  to  the  American  reader,  and  especially  to  the  inhabitants 
of  Michigan  and  other  portions  of  the  great  Northwest. 

In  this  translation  I  was  assisted  by  a  native  Parisian,  and  by 
•  an  accomplished  French  scholar  from  Boston,  Mass.  The  trans 
lation  was  made  with  the  greatest  possible  care,  every  sentence 
being  revised  and  compared  with  the  original.  Whatever  the 


6  PREFACE. 


\\.Tk  ni:iy  lack  in  beauty  of  diction,  and  gracefulness  of  expres 
sion,  unwearied  pains  have  been  taken  to  make  it  historically 
correct. 

I  have  chosen  to  embody  in  the  work  the  manuscripts  them 
selves,  rather  than  to  give  the  facts  in  a  more  modern  style, 
partly  because  the  unique  mode  of  expression  often  used  has  at 
tractions  to  my  own  mind,  and  partly  because  most  historical 
readers  love  that  which  has  the  savor  of  antiquity,  and  prefer  the 
original  of  an  old  book  to  the  most  polished  modern  version. 
The  names  of  all  persons  and  places,  and  of  some  few  words  hav 
ing  a  local  signification,  have  been  spelled  as  in  the  original 
manuscripts,  except  Michilimackinac,  which  in  some  instances 
was  spelled  Missilimakina  ;  but,  this  being  an  Indian  word,  I 
have  preferred  Schoolcraft's  orthography. 

Though  a  large  portion  of  this  volume  is  composed  of  the 
manuscripts,  much  research  has  been  necessary  to  obtain  cor 
roborating  testimony  and  connecting  facts.  The  principal  author 
ities  which  have  been  consulted  for  that  purpose,  are  "  Hennepin's 
Travels,"  Wynne's  "History  of  the  British  Empire,"  Parkman's 
"  Conspiracy  of  Pontiac,"  Schoolcraft's  "  Thirty  Years  with  the 
Indian  Tribes,"  Lanman's  "History  of  Michigan,"  Ingersoll's 
"  Second  War,"  and  Bancroft's  "  History  of  the  United  States." 

The  facts  concerning  Detroit,  after  its  occupation  by  the  Amer 
icans,  were  obtained  from  Hon.  S.  Conant,  Major  Joshua  Howfl 
Major  Abraham  Edwards,  and  Hon.  B.  R  H.  Witherell ;  a 
from  Mrs.  M.  McCarty,  and  Mrs.  Robert  Abbott,  daughters 
Peter  Audrain,  first  Secretary  of  the  Territory,  all  of  whom  were 
then  residents  of  Detroit.  By  the  politeness  of  Mr.  Amos  T. 


PEEFACE. 


Hall,  Register  of  the  city  of  Detroit,  I  have  also  had  access  to 
the  old  records,  and  have  brought  thence  a  bundle  of  gleanings. 

I  am  under  many  obligations  to  the  "  Mechanics'  Library  As 
sociation"  of  Detroit,  and  to  the  "  New  York  Historical  Library," 
"  Mercantile  Library  Association,"  and  "  Astor  Library"  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  for  the  use  of  books  contained  in  their  several 
valuable  collections.  Mr.  Joseph  G.  Cogswell,  librarian  of  the 
Astor  Library,  has  also  kindly  rendered  essential  service,  by  a 
patient  examination  of  many  of  the  manuscripts,  and  by  reliable 
advice  concerning  the  plan  of  the  work. 

And  by  no  means  of  the  least  account  in  the  sum  of  obliga 
tion,  is  the  gratitude  due  to  Rev.  Joseph  P.  Thompson  for  an  in 
troduction  to  my  publishers ;  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the 
handsome  appearance  of  this  volume,  and  by  whose  liberality  the 
public  are  presented  with  the  life-like  portraits  of  some  of  those 
distinguished  men,  whose  names  are  well  known  in  connection 
with  the  early  American  history  of  Michigan. 

Hon.  Lewis  Cass,  second  Governor  of  Michigan — whose  por 
trait,  engraved  from  a  daguerreotype  taken  during  the  present 
session  of  Congress,  will  be  immediately  recognized, — retained 
his  office  as  governor,  from  the  time  of  his  appointment  in  1813 
till  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  War  in  1831.  In  1836  he 
was  appointed  Minister  to  France,  and  returned  in  1842.  In 
January,  1845,  he  was  first  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate. 

Hon.  James  Witherell,  one  of  the  "  Board  of  Governor  and 
Judges,"  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  appointed  a 
Judge  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  April  23d,  1808.  His  term 
of  office  expired  July  1st,  1824,  after  which  he  was  reappointed 


8  PREFACE. 


for  four  years.     On  the  1st  of  February,  1828,  he  was  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Territory.     He  died  January  9th,  1838. 

Hon.  James  May  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas,  about  the  year  1800.  He  held  that  office  for 
seven  years ;  and  his  name  often  appears  in  the  subsequent  pub 
lic  records  of  the  Territory.  He  died  in  January,  1829. 

Rev.  Gabriel  Richard,  Vicar-general,  Sulpitian,  was  born  at 
Saintes,  in  France,  October  15th,  1764.  He  was  educated  at 
Issy,  near  Paris,  and  became  a  priest  of  the  Society  of  St.  Sulpitius 
in  1791.  With  a  number  of  priests  of  the  same  order,  he  ar 
rived  at  Baltimore,  in  the  United  States,  June  24th,  1792.  After 
laboring  some  time  as  missionary  among  the  Catholic  missions  of 
Illinois,  he  came  to  Detroit  in  June,  1798.  He  closed  a  long 
and  laborious  life  at  Detroit,  on  the  13th  of  September,  1832. 

All  efforts  to  obtain  a  portrait  of  Hon.  Augustus  B.  Woodward, 
one  of  the  first  judges,  and  author  of  the  "  Woodward  Code  of 
Laws,"  have  been  unsuccessful,  and  it  is  believed  that  none  exists. 
He  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the 
Territory  of  Michigan  in  1805.  His  term  of  office  expired  in 
1824,  and  he  was  soon  after  appointed  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Territory  of  Florida,  and  died  there  three  years  later. 

Far  from  considering  this  volume  above  criticism,  yet  believing 
that  it  contains  historical  facts  which  will  be  appreciated  by  the 
reading  public,  and  especially  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  great 
NnrtU-4,  this  portion  of  the  Early  History  of  Michigan  is  re 
spectfully  submitted. 

YOBK,  March,  1856. 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Francis  I.  grants  a  Commission  to  Jacques  Cartier — Voyage  of  discovery 
— Second  voyage — Ceremony  of  embarkation — Tempestuous  voyage — 
Discovery  and  naming  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence — Island  of  Hochelaga — 
Indian  account  of  the  Far  West — Cartier  names  New  France — Charter 
granted  to  Roberval — He  proceeds  to  America — Erects  a  fort  on  the 
coast — Colonization  Company  formed  in  1603 — Expedition  under  the 
command  of  Champlain — Emigration  of  the  Franciscans — Jesuits — 
Champlain  appointed  governor — Missionaries  visit  Saut  Ste.  Marie — 
Death  of  Kaymbault  at  Montreal — Jogues  attempts  to  return  to  his 
missionary  work — Taken  prisoner  by  hostile  savages — Ransomed  by 
the  Dutch — Re'ne'  Mesnard  visits  Lake  Superior — Mysterious  disap 
pearance — Establishment  of  a  mission  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie  by  Allouez 
and  Marquette — Speech  of  Allouez — Death  of  Marquette 17 

CHAPTER  II. 

Count  Frontenac  appointed  Governor-General  of  New  France — Fort 
Frontenac  built — La  Salle  appointed  Commandant — Resigns  his  com 
mand — Crosses  Lake  Ontario — Ascends  the  Niagara  river — Builds  the 
Griffin — Traverses  lakes  and  rivers  to  Michilimackinac — Indian  vil 
lages  on  the  Detroit — Storm  on  Lake  Huron — Michilimackinac — Sig 
nification  of  the  name — Murder  of  two  French  traders — Arrest  of  the 
murderers — Their  trial  and  execution 38 

CHAPTER  III. 

Count  Frontenac  removed  from  office — Succeeded  by  M.  le  Barre — Le 
Barre  recalled,  and  De  Nonville  appointed — M.  du  Lhut  ordered  to 
establish  a  fort  on  the  Detroit — Count  Frontenac  reappointed  to  the 


10  CONTENTS. 

government  of  Canada— Attempts  a  reconciliation  with  the  Illinois — 
Invasion  of  Canada  by  the  English  in  1690 — Attack  on  Montreal— 
Unsuccessful  expedition  against  Quebec — Frontenac  invades  the  coun 
try  of  the  Iroquois — M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  appointed  commandant  at 
Michilimackinac — Remonstrates  against  the  prohibition  of  the  sale  of 
brandy  to  the  Indians — General  account  of  the  country,  its  condition, 
and  inhabitants  . .  60 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  peace  of  Ryswick — France  retains  her  possessions  in  America — 
Commercial  rivalry  between  the  French  and  English — Cadillac's  man 
agement  of  the  Indians — Their  attachment  to  the  French — Upper 
Nations  send  envoys  to  Montreal  in  1700 — Written  treaty  made  and 
signed  by  the  governor-general  and  envoys — Importance  of  a  fort  on 
the  Detroit — M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  goes  to  France — Recital  of  his  plans 
to  Count  Pontchartrain — Project  approved  by  the  king — Cadillac  ap 
pointed  commandant — Returns  to  Canada — Leaves  La  Chine  for  De 
troit — 1 1st ablishes  Fort  Pontchartrain  in  1701 — Company  of  the  colony 
organized 83 


CHAPTER  V. 

Difficulty  between  the  Jesuits  and  Franciscans— Character  of  M.  Ca 
dillac — Letter  to  Count  Pontchartrain — Account  of  religious  affairs — 
ll'-moval  of  the  savages  to  Detroit — Hurons — Miamis — Messages  from 
the  Outawa-Sinagos  and  Kiskakons— Necessity  of  presents  to  the  sava 
ges — Trade  in  buffalo-skins — Mulberry-trees  on  Grand  river Fine 

harvest  at  Detroit — Indian  chiefs  wish  to  visit  France — Plan  to  form 
a  company  of  Indian  soldiers — Establishment  of  a  seminary  for  the 
savages—Settlement  by  the  Canadians— Cadillac  complains  of  the 
large  number  of  "permits" — Massacre  of  the  Miamis  by  the  Sioux- 
Other  Indian  difficulties  arising  from  the  "permits" 99 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Letter  from  M.  Cadillac  to  M.  la  Touche— Complains  of  the  Jesuits  that 

to  not  occupy  their  Mission  at  Detroit— Danger  of  opposing 

thorn—  The  "Company  of  the  Colony"  make  a  new  contract  with  M. 

Cadillac— His  account  of  the  agreement— M.  Cadillac  detects  two  of 

the  commissioners  in  fraud  and  embezzlement,  and  reports  them  to 


CONTENTS.  11 

the  Directors — Descends  to  Montreal,  and  is  arrested  on  charges  pre 
ferred  by  the  Directors — Suit  not  decided  till  1705 — M.  Tonti  com 
mands  in  his  absence 133 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Examination  of  M.  Cadillac  before  Count  Pontchartrain — Cadillac  re 
ceived  with  reproaches — His  defense — Gives  a  minute  account  of  the 
settlement  of  Detroit — Journey  thither — Conduct  of  Father  Vaillant — 
Danger  of  mutiny — Harmony  restored — Arrival  at  Detroit — Popula 
tion  of  the  Indian  villages  in  the  vicinity  in  1704 — Great  number  of 
beaver — Complains  of  the  duplicity  of  the  Jesuits  in  seeking  the  de 
struction  of  Detroit — All  arises  from  personal  enmity — Account  of  the 
embezzlements  of  the  two  commissioners — Nineteen  packs  of  furs  found 
— Other  proofs  of  their  guilt — Cause  of  Cadillac's  arrest 142 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

M.  Cadillac's  defense  continued — Count  Pontchartrain  investigates  the 
conduct  of  Cadillac's  accusers — Questions  Cadillac  concerning  the  price 
and  sale  of  goods — Requires  a  minute  account  of  all  the  circumstances 
which  caused  the  difficulty  between  him  and  the  ' '  Company  of  the 
Colony" — Cadillac  details  facts,  and  gives  explanations  and  argu 
ments — Conduct  of  M.  Denoyer — His  imprisonment  by  Cadillac — M. 
Vincelot  sent  to  Detroit — His  character 164 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Cadillac's  defense  continued — He  gives  his  reasons  for  appealing  to  a 
higher  court — Narrates  the  measures  taken  to  secure  the  destruc 
tion  of  Detroit — Offer  of  a  pension  to  M.  Tonti — Government  sends 
M.  Decouverte  to  the  Ottawas  and  Miamis  with  goods — M.  Mantet 
sent  with  presents  and  necklaces — M.  Vincennes  sent  to  the  Miamis 
with  three  canoes  loaded  with  goods — Ruin  of  Detroit  determined  at 
Quebec — Fort  at  Detroit  set  on  fire — Church,  house  of  the  Eecollets, 
and  dwelling  of  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  burned — All  the  provisions  of 
the  fort  consumed — Generosity  of  the  savages — Miamis  attack  the 
Detroit  savages — M.  Cadillac  negotiates  a  peace  between  the  several 
nations — War-party  of  the  Illinois  made  prisoners  by  the  French — 
Brought  to  the  fort — Whipped  with  rods — Ottawas  of  Michilimackinac 
remove  to  Detroit — Sixty  Ottawas  make  a  descent  upon  the  Iroquois 
at  Fort  Frontenac — Paganism  of  the  savages 187 


I  •_!  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X. 

••i -tit in  of  the  Iroquois  toward  Detroit — Detroit  Indians  invited  by 
Kn^lish  to  Albany,  in  1703 — Return  disaffected  toward  the  French 
— Firing  of  the  fort — The  consequences — Letter  from  Father  Marest, 
at  Michilimackinac — Additional  account  of  .the  difficulties  with  the 
Indians  -Fears  for  the  safety  of  the  French — M.  Chartier  resolves  to 
leave  the  mission-house  at  St.  Ignace,  and  go  alone  to  Fort  Michili 
mackinac — Prevented  by  the  offer  of  Merasilla,  an  Outawa-Sinago — 
He  assures  the  missionary  of  his  own  safety — Asks  a  flag  and  letters 
to  the  French  at  Michilimackinac — Three  Frenchmen  return  with 
him — Michilimackinac  more  securely  fortified — M.  Arnaud  makes 
I'u-sents  to  the  savages — The  old  men  in  council  disapprove  of  the 
•  'iiduct  of  their  tribe  in  going  to  Detroit — Great  anxiety  about  the 
missionaries  at  St.  Joseph — Friendship  of  Koutaouiliboe — OnaskS 
sends  an  apology  to  the  governor-general  for  his  seeming  remissness 
in  duty  to  the  French — Savages  returned  from  Detroit  report  two 
Frenchmen  killed,  one  a  Recollet  priest 205 

CHAPTER  XL 

La  Motte's  reply  to  two  letters  of  the  governor-general — Gives  an  ac- 
,nt  of  the  attacks  of  the  savages  mentioned  by  Father  Marest — 
11  le  Blanc  demands  peace  by  a  branch  of  porcelain — M.  Bourmont 
••ives  the  branch,  and  refers  the  affair  to  the  decision  of  M.  la  Motte 
— M.  la  Motte  thinks  this  outbreak  no  sudden  freak — Savages  proba 
bly  instigated  by  others— Desertion  of  the  French  soldiers  on  their 
way  to  Detroit — Expresses  thanks  that  powder  is  no  longer  allowed  to 
be  sold  to  the  hostile  savages  by  the  traders — Arrival  of  one  hundred 
warriors,  Sauteurs  and  Amikouecs — Numerous  councils  held  between 
them  and  the  French— M.  la  Motte  demands  of  them  the  death  of 
Le  Pesant  and  three  or  four  others — Hurons  and  Miamis  determined 
to  plunder  the  traders  at  Michilimackinac 218 

CHAPTER  XII. 

The  governor-general  orders  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  tribes  engaged 
in  the  attack  on  Detroit,  to  descend  to  Montreal— They  arrive  June 
17,  1707— Governor-general  refuses  to  see  them— Council  called  the 
next  day— Jean  la  Blanc's  speech— Second  council,  June  20th,  speech 
of  the  governor-general— Third  council,  Jean  le  Blanc's  reply— Fourth 


CONTENTS.  13 

council,  governor-general  again  addresses  the  savages — Demands  the 
death  of  Le  Pesant — Finally  refers  the  affair  to  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac 
at  Detroit — Last  council :  Jean  le  Blanc  consents  to  the  demands  of 
the  governor-general 232 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  chiefs  proceed  to  Detroit — First  council  held  by  M.  la  Motte,  August 
6th,  1707 — M.  la  Motte  addresses  the  savages — Second  council :  Oton- 
tagon  replies — Third  council :  M.  la  Motte  addresses  the  Hurons  and 
Miamis — Sastarexy  replies — Fourth  council :  a  general  council  of  the 
Outawas,  Hurons,  and  Miamis — M.  la  Motte's  speech — Otontagon, 
Sastarexy,  and  Onaske  address  the  council — M.  la  Motte  demands  the 
delivery  or  Le  Pesant  into  the  hands  of  the  French — The  chiefs  finally 
accede  to  the  demand 251 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Outawas  and  Kiskakons  return  to  Michilimackinac — M.  St.  Pierre  and 
soldiers  from  Detroit  accompany  them — Grand  council  convened — 
Difficulties  settled — Le  Pesant  delivered  up — Sent  under  guard  to 
Detroit — M.  St.  Pierre  returns  to  Quebec  with  Koutaouiliboe  and 
Sakima — They  arrive  at  Quebec,  October  7th,  1707 — Council  convened 
— Speech  of  Koutaouiliboe,  giving  a  minute  statement  of  affairs  at 
Detroit  and  Michilimackinac — Second  council,  governor-general  B 
reply — Dismisses  the  chiefs  with  presents — Letter  from  the  governor- 
general  to  Father  Marest,  missionary  at  Michilimackinac 263 

CHAPTER  XV. 

M.  la  Motte  pardons  Le  Pesant — Dissatisfaction  of  the  Miamis— They 
demand  vengeance  upon  Le  Pesant — Kill  three  Frenchmen  and  com 
mit  other  depredations — Hurons  and  Iroquois  raise  war-parties  to  at 
tack  the  French — M.  la  Motte  complains  that  it  is  Jesuitical  influence 
which  occasions  these  disturbances — Asks  for  a  re-enforcement  of 
troops  and  a  better  fort — Advises  the  destruction  of  Fort  Frontenac — 
Thinks  a  new  fort  below  Fort  Frontenac  would  afford  better  protec 
tion  to  the  passage  to  Detroit  and  Montreal — Complains  of  the  Oou- 
reurs  des  Bois — Inspection  of  the  several  posts  by  M.  d' Aigrement — He 
remains  nineteen  days  at  Detroit — Accuses  M.  la  Motte  of  tyranny — 
Measures  the  valuable  lands  at  Fort  Pontchartrain — Only  twenty-nine 
of  the  inhabitants  landholders — Taxes — Asserts  that  the  mainte- 


14  CONTENTS. 

nance  of  Detroit  must  be  prejudicial  to  all  Canada— Trouble  at  Detroit 
with  the  Miamis— Detailed  account— Proceeds  to  Michilimackmac— 
Considers  it  an  important  post— Describes  its  location  and  advantages 
—Urges  the  necessity  of  sending  a  commandant  with  a  good  garrison 
—Approves  of  the  "  permits" 276 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

War  between  France  and  England— English  attempt  the  reduction  of 
New  France— Port  Royal  taken— Fifty  thousand  crowns  raised  by  the 
merchants  of  Quebec  to  complete  their  fortifications— English  unsuc- 
:  ul— Outagamies  suddenly  make  their  appearance — In  1712,  Outa- 
gamies  and  Mascoutins  attack  Detroit— Long  siege— Garrison  relieved 
by  their  allies — The  enemy  routed,  and  nearly  all  destroyed — Letter 
from  Father  Marest  to  the  governor-general,  giving  an  account  of  the 
attack— Urges  the  re-establishment  of  Michilimackinac — Memorial 
of  M.  Begon,  opposing  the  immediate  re-establishment  of  Michili 
mackinac 295 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

France  cedes  to  England  large  portions  of  territory  in  New  France — 
English  attempt  to  conciliate  the  savages — Fail,  through  the  influ 
ence  of  Father  Rafle,  a  French  Jesuit — English  set  a  price  on  the 
head  of  the  priest — Savages  exasperated — Make  incursions  upon  the 
English — Destroy  their  crops,  but  spare  life — Outagamies  trouble  the 
French — In  1716,  M.  Louvigny  proceeds  to  their  country  and  obliges 
them  to  capitulate — Hostages  die  of  small-pox  at  Quebec — M.  Lou 
vigny  again  visits  the  country  of  the  Outagamies — Official  report  of 
M.  Tonti's  return  from  Quebec  to  Detroit 311 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Chiefs  of  the  three  villages  at  Detroit  assembled  in  council — Orders  of 
M.  Vaudreuil — Speech  of  Sastarexy,  the  Huron  orator — Unusual  state 
of  tranquillity  in  all  New  France — Increased  number  of  settlers  at 
Detroit — Enlargement  of  the  stockade — Barracks  erected — Canada,  in 
17J") — Commencement  of  "the  old  French  war" — Extensive  warlike 
preparations  made  in  the  colonies — Arrival  of  French  and  English 
fleets  off  the  coast  of  Newfoundland — Quebec  taken  by  the  English — 
Montreal  and  all  the  French  possessions  in  the  northwest  ceded  to 
England— Major  Rogers  takes  possession  of  Detroit — Lieut.  Leslie 


CONTENTS.  15 

takes  possession  of  Michilimackinac — Description  of  Michilimackinac 
by  Henry — Conspiracy  of  Pontiac — Massacre  at  Michilimackinac — Its 
reoccupancy — Kemoval  of  the  fort  to  the  island 320 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Detroit  in  1763 — Description  by  Bancroft — Number  of  French  inhabit 
ants — Enumeration  in  1764— French  farms — English  fort — Gladwyn 
commander — Pontiac's  plan  for  its  destruction — His  attempt  and  de 
feat — Major  Campbell's  captivity  and  death — Continuation  of  the 
siege — Battle  of  Bloody  Bridge — Indians  obliged  to  disperse  in  search 
of  food — Gladwyn  provisions  the  garrison — Comparatively  quiet  win 
ter—Fort  le  Noult  built  in  1778— Detroit  in  1793— Description  by 
Spencer—  Americans  take  possession  of  Detroit  in  1796 340 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Localities  of  Detroit — The  city  in  1701 — In  1763  and  1796 — River  Savoy 
ard — Settlements  at  Grosse  Point,  along  the  St.  Clair  river — French 
inhabitants — Domestic  life — Increase  of  immigration — Settlements  on 
the  Detroit — Improved  appearance  of  the  country — Social  life  at  De 
troit — Business — French  characteristics — Summer  recreations — Le 
grand  marais — Winter  amusements — Easy  life  in  the  fort — Establish 
ment  of  the  civil  government — Michigan  territory  organized — Detroit 
burned — Arrival  of  the  government  officers — Act  of  Congress  for  the 
relief  of  the  sufferers  by  fire — Legislative  board  organized 365 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Judge  Woodward's  plan  for  the  new  city  of  Detroit — Survey  of  the  city 
— Apportionment  of  lots — Incorporation  of  the  Bank  of  Detroit — First 
code  of  laws  published  called  the  "Woodward  Code" — Bank  charter 
revoked  in  1809 — Land  granted  for  St.  Anne's  church,  Roman  Catho 
lic—Building  lots  granted  for  boys'  and  girls'  schools— Resolution  to 
grant  building  lots  to  foreigners — Peter  Desnoyers — Building  lot 
granted  for  a  Protestant  church — Tecumseh  plans  the  destruction  of 
Detroit — Disaffection  of  the  Shawanese  and  Wyandots  induces  the  in 
habitants  to  build  a  stockade  around  the  new  city— Governor  Hull 
effects  a  treaty  with  the  Indian  tribes  in  1807 — Facetious  resolution 
of  Judge  Woodward — Resolution  concerning  American  manufactures — 
Answer  to  an  official  communication  from  Governor  De  Witt  Clinton, 
and  others,  of  the  State  of  New  York 378 


16  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Renewed  disaffection  of  the  Indians — Resolution  to  increase  the  mili 
tary  force — William  Hull  appointed  commander-in-chief  of  the  military 
force  of  the  northwest — Army  of  twelve  hundred  raised  in  Ohio — Gen. 
Hull  proceeds  to  Detroit — Vessels  containing  valuables  captured  by 
the  British — Orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War — Army  cross  the  river 
to  Sandwich — Col.  Cass  takes  Canard  Bridge — Gen.  Hull  returns  to 
Detroit  without  attacking  Maiden — Surrenders  Detroit  to  the  British 
— Facts  concerning  the  surrender  obtained  from  an  eye-witness — Col. 
Lewis  Cass  appointed  governor .  393 


EARLY 

HISTOEY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  I, 

Francis  I.  grants  a  commission  to  Jacques  Cartier — Voyage  of  discovery 
— Second  voyage — Ceremony  of  embarkation — Tempestuous  voyage — 
Discovery  and  naming  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence — Island  of  Hochelaga — 
Indian  account  of  the  Far  West — Cartier  names  New  France — Charter 
granted  to  Eoberval — He  proceeds  to  America — Erects  a  fort  on  the 
coast — Colonization  Company  formed  in  1603 — Expedition  under  the 
command  of  Champlain — Emigration  of  the  Franciscans — Jesuits — 
Champlain  appointed  governor — Missionaries  visit  Saut  Ste.  Marie — 
Death  of  Eaymbault  at  Montreal — Jogues  attempts  to  return  to  his 
missionary  work — Taken  prisoner  by  hostile  savages — Ransomed  by 
the  Dutch — Rene  Mesnard  visits  Lake  Superior — Mysterious  disap 
pearance — Establishment  of  a  mission  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie  by  Allouez 
and  Marquette — Speech  of  Allouez — Death  of  Marquette. 

THE  enthusiasm  awakened  in  Spain  and  England,  at 
the  beginning  of  the  sixteenth  century,  by  the  discover 
ies  of  Christopher  Columbus  and  Sebastian  Cabot,  was 
soon  communicated  to  impulsive  France,  and  Francis  I. 
granted  a  commission  to  Jacques  Cartier,  of  St.  Malo,  to 
prosecute  discoveries  in  the  unknown  regions  of  the  ]STew 
World. 

Carder's  outfit  for  this  expedition  consisted  of  two 
ships,  of  sixty  tons  burden  each,  and  a  crew  of  sixty-one 


18  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Cartier's  Voyage  of  Discovery— Second  Voyage. 

efficient  men.  He  set  sail  from  St.  Malo  on  the  20th  of 
April,  1534. 

The  Spaniards  already  occupied  Florida  ;  the  English 
had  taken  possession  of  the  middle  portion  of  the  con 
tinent  ;  the  more  northern  regions,  therefore,  alone  re 
mained  for  the  French,  and  thither  the  adventurous 
commander  directed  his  course.  His  first  voyage  was 
merely  a  survey  of  the  northern  coast  of  Newfoundland, 
which  was  prosperously  accomplished ;  but  fearing  the 
disastrous  effects  of  the  autumnal  storms  upon  his  ships, 
he  turned  prow  homeward,  and  arrived  safely  at  St. 
Malo  on  the  15th  of  September,  1534.  The  favorable 
account  which  he  gave  of  the  voyage  was  well  received 
at  court,  and  preparations  were  immediately  commenced 
for  a  second  expedition. 

During  the  winter  of  1534-5,  three  vessels  were  fitted 
out,  which  were  to  constitute  the  squadron  of  M.  Car- 
tier.  They  were  the  Great  Hermina,  of  about  one  hun 
dred  and  twenty  tons,  which  was  the  flag-ship  ;  the  Little 
Hermina,  of  sixty  tons ;  and  the  Hermirillon,  of  forty 
tons. 

The  day  of  embarkation,  May  15th,  1535,  at  length 
arrived — a  most  important  day  at  St.  Malo.  The  ad 
venturers,  who  were  about  to  embark  for  the  just-discov 
ered,  yet  almost  unknown  world,  were  objects  of  general 
and  enthusiastic  interest ;  and  in  this  hour  of  separation 


EARLY   HISTOEY  OF   MICHIGAN.  19 

Ceremony  of  Embarkation— St.  Lawrence— Hochelaga. 

from  kindred  and  country,  the  priests  of  their  religion 
had  prepared  a  gorgeous  pageant  for  their  future  support 
and  consolation.  The  officers  and  crew  of  the  whole 
squadron,  having  confessed  and  received  the  sacrament, 
presented  themselves  before  the  altar  in  the  spacious 
cathedral  of  St.  Malo,  where  the  bishop,  arrayed  in  sa 
cerdotal  robes  of  the  most  costly  magnificence,  bestowed 
on  them  his  benediction. 

The  voyage  was  very  tempestuous.  "When  the  fleet 
arrived  within  sight  of  Newfoundland,  they  still  con 
tinued  to  sail  ,to  the  westward,  and  entered  a  broad  gulf 
on  St.  Lawrence  day,  in  commemoration  of  which  event 
they  gave  the  name  of  St.  Lawrence  to  the  gulf,  and  to 
the  river  that  flows  into  it. 

Crossing  the  gulf,  Cartier  ascended  the  river  to  the 
island  of  Orleans,  where  he  arrived  in  September.  Here 
the  natives  made  him  bountiful  presents  of  corn  and 
fish,  but  strongly  opposed  his  farther  progress.  Disre 
garding  their  opposition,  he  continued  his  course  until 
he  reached  the  island  of  Hochelaga.  He  found  this 
beautiful  island  in  the  possession  of  a  band  of  "Wy- 
andot  Indians.  Their  principal  village  was  circular  in 
form,  and  contained  about  fifty  houses,  built  of  wood, 
and  thatched  with  strips  of  bark  ingeniously  joined 
together.  This  village  was  at  the  base  of  a  hill  which 
commanded  a  magnificent  prospect,  to  which  Cartier 


20  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Cartier  names  New  France— RobervHl's  Charter. 

gave  the  name  of  Mont-royal — the  site  of  the  present 
city  of  Montreal. 

Cartier  was  told  by  the  natives  that  "  there  was,  far 
away  to  the  westward,  a  country  called  Saquenay 
(Saginaw?),  where  were  great  stores  of  gold  and  cop 
per;  and  that  there  were  three  great  lakes,  and  a  sea 
of  fresh  water  so  large  that  no  man  had  ever  found 
the  end." 

Before  leaving  the  island  of  Hochelaga,  Cartier  erect 
ed  a  cross,  and  a  shield  emblazoned  with  the  Fleur  de-lis, 
emblems  of  Church  and  State,  and  named  the  region  of 
his  discoveries  New  France. 

He  departed  on  the  5th  of  October,  wintered  on  the 
St.  Croix  river,  and  the  following  summer  returned  to 
France.  On  his  arrival  he  reported  that  the  country 
he  had  explored  was  destitute  of  gold  and  silver,  and 
that  its  coast  was  bleak  and  stormy. 

The  representations  of  Cartier,  whose  candor  was 
known  to  be  equal  to  his  judgment  and  energy,  so  far 
checked  the  progress  of  French  enterprise,  that  not  until 
four  years  after  his  return  was  another  expedition  at 
tempted. 

Early  in  the  year  1540,  Francis  I.  granted  to  Francois 
de  la  Eoque,  Seigneur  de  Eoberval,  a  charter  covering 
all  the  region  north  of  the  British  occupancy,  and  in 
vesting  him  with  supreme  power  within  its  bounds. 


EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  21 

Fort  erected— 1603,  Colonization  Company  formed. 

During  the  summer  of  the  same  year,  a  squadron,  con 
sisting  of  five  vessels,  under  the  command  of  Admiral 
Cartier,  and  furnished  with  all  the  necessary  men  and 
provisions  for  founding  a  colony,  bore  Roberval  to  his 
new  possessions.  The  voyage  was  prosperous.  On  their 
arrival,  a  fort  was  erected — the  location  of  which  is  now 
unknown — and  Cartier  was  appointed  commandant. 

Roberval  immediately  returned  to  France,  and  the 
same  year  brought  thence  a  reinforcement  of  men,  and 
a  large  supply  of  stores  and  arms,  for  the  relief  and 
protection  of  the  fort.  Nothing  farther  is  known  of 
this  colony:  indeed  the  history  of  New  France,  from 
that  period  to  the  founding  of  Quebec,  is  almost  en 
tirely  lost. 

In  1603,  a  number  of  merchants  of  the  city  of  Rouen, 
in  France,  formed  a  Colonization  Company,  designing 
to  realize  large  profits  from  the  fur-trade.  A  charter 
was  obtained  granting  them  the  same  privileges  which, 
sixty  years  previously,  had  been  bestowed  upon  M.  de 
la  Roque. 

The  first  expedition  of  this  company  was  made  the 
same  year  that  the  charter  was  granted,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Samuel  Champlain,  a  member  of  the  company, 
a  bold,  energetic  man,  and  one  well  fitted  for  the  ar 
duous  duties  with  which  he  was  intrusted. 

In  1608,  Champlain  founded  the  city  of  Quebec.    His 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Quebec  founded—  Franciscans—  Jesuits. 


time  seems  to  have  been  employed  during  a  few  of  the 
succeeding  years  in  strengthening  and  improving  the 
colony,  and  in  making  farther  explorations.  In  1611, 
he  discovered  the  beautiful  lake  which  still  bears  his 
name. 

Champlain  made  a  voyage  to  France  in  1612,  and  on 
his  return  brought  with  him  four  Franciscans,  or  Recol- 
lets,  for  the  conversion  of  the  savages  in  the  vicinity  of 
Quebec.  Five  years  later  he  brought  over  his  family, 
and  entered  with  renewed  vigor  upon  all  the  enterprises 
connected  with  colonial  life.  The  colonists  were  greatly 
encouraged  to  find  their  governor  willing  thus  to  unite 
all  his  interests  with  theirs,  and  pursued  the  arduous 
labors,  and  endured  the  privations  of  their  lot,  with  an 
energy  and  fortitude  hitherto  unknown. 

The  adventure-loving  and  persevering  Jesuits  had 
formed  a  part  of  each  emigrating  band,  and,  in  1611, 
had  established  a  mission  among  the  savages.  During 
many  subsequent  years,  despite  the  efforts  of  Champlain 
and  others  who  favored  the  Franciscans,  the  Jesuits  ex 
erted  a  controlling  influence  throughout  New  France  ; 
though  Ilennepin  asserts  that  "  from  the  arrival  of  the 
Eeverend  Father  Martin  de  Yalence,  one  of  the  first  of 
the  Franciscan  priests,  to  the  year  1621,  there  had  been 
five  hundred  converts  of  the  Recollets  established  in  the 
New  World." 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  23 

Jesuit  College  founded— Death  of  Champlain. 

In  1622,  the  Duke  de  Yentadour,  who  had  taken 
orders  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  aiding  in  converting 
the  savages,  sent  over  to  Canada  a  large  number  of  the 
Jesuits  ;  and  in  1635  a  college  of  the  order  was  founded 
at  Quebec,  under  the  direction  of  the  Marquis  de  Ga- 
mache. 

Samuel  Champlain,  first  governor  of  ISTew  France, 
died  in  1625.  Under  his  administration  the  colony  had 
been  uniformly  prosperous,  and  his  loss  was  justly  con 
sidered  a  great  calamity.  Lanman,  in  his  History  of 
Michigan,  pays  the  following  tribute  to  his  memory : 

"  With  a  mind  warmed  into  enthusiasm  by  the  vast 
domain  of  wilderness  which  was  stretched  around  him, 
and  the  glorious  visions  of  future  grandeur  which  its 
resources  opened,  a  man  of  extraordinary  hardihood 
and  the  clearest  judgment,  a  brave  officer  and  a  sci 
entific  seaman,  his  keen  forecast  discerned,  in  the  mag 
nificent  prospect  of  the  country  which  he  occupied,  the 
elements  of  a  mighty  empire,  of  which  he  had  hoped  to 
be  the  founder.  With  a  stout  heart,  and  ardent  zeal,  he 
had  entered  upon  the  project  of  civilization;  he  had  dis 
seminated  valuable  knowledge  of  its  resources  by  his 
explorations,  and  had  cut  the  way  through  hordes  of 
savages  for  the  subsequent  successful  progress  of  the 
French  toward  the  lakes." 

M.  de  Montmagny  succeeded  Champlain  as  governor. 


. 

EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


»       Prosecution  of  the  Fur-trade—  Jesuits  visit  Saut  Ste.  Marie. 

The  fur-trade  was  the  principal  object  of  his  attention, 
and  to  prosecute  this  most  effectually,  the  wilderness  in 
the  region  of  the  St.  Lawrence  was  explored  ;  and  rude 
forts  were  erected  as  a  means  of  defense  to  the  trading- 
houses.  Not  far  remote—  a  never-failing  auxiliary  — 
was  the  chapel  of  the  Jesuit,  surmounted  by  a  cross. 

Gradually  these  explorations  were  extended  westward 
until,  in  1632,  Father  Sagard,  a  Jesuit  missionary,  as 
cended  the  "great  river  of  the  Ottawas,"  and  after 
enduring  many  hardships,  reached  the  shores  of  Lake 
Huron. 

In  September,  1641,  Charles  Eaymbault  and  Isaac 
Jogues,  two  other  Jesuit  missionaries,  who  had  pre 
viously  established  a  mission  at  the  head  of  Pentangui- 
shine  Bay  —  at  that  time  the  western  terminus  of  the 
traveled  route  between  Montreal  and  Lake  Huron, 
by  the  way  of  the  Ottawa  river  and  Lake  Siinoe  — 
embarked  in  a  frail  birch  canoe,  and  pursued  their 
course  northwest,  through  the  Georgian  Bay  and  among 
the  countless  islands  of  the  St.  Marie's  river.  After  a 
voyage  of  seventeen  days,  amid  scenery  of  unequaled 
beauty,  the  crowning  glory  of  all,  Saut  Ste.  Marie, 
burst  upon  their  enraptured  vision.  Here,  where  the 
evergreen  of  the  unbroken  forest  was  contrasted  with 
the  matchless  beauty  of  the  foam-crested  waters,  and 
the  handiwork  of  Deity  was  everywhere  strikingly  man- 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  25 

Indian  Account  of  the  Lake  Superior  Eegion. 

ifest,  the  weary  voyageurs  found  a  settlement  of  two 
thousand  of  nature's  own  children,  the  hospitable  Chip- 
pewas.  The  chiefs  of  the  tribe  gave  the  travel-worn 
missionaries  a  cordial  reception.  "  We  welcome  you  as 
brothers,  and  will  profit  by  your  words,"  was  their  as 
surance,  when  the  object  of  the  long,  wearisome  journey 
had  been  explained. 

A  few  days'  observation  convinced  the  missionaries 
that  the  peculiar  facility  afforded  by  the  rapids  for 
catching  the  white-fish  that  abounded  in  those  wa 
ters,  more  than  any  other  advantage  of  the  location, 
was  the  great  attraction  which  made  the  Saut  de  Ste. 
Marie  the  abiding-place  of  so  large  a  number  of  the 
roving  Aborigines. 

The  Chippewas  informed  their  guests  that,  beyond  the 
foaming  rapids  and  the  clear,  placid  Ste.  Marie's  river 
above,  was  a  lake,  called  by  them  Gitchi  Gomee  (Great 
Water),  larger  than  either  Lake  Huron  or  Lake  Michi 
gan,  which  was  then  called  by  the  French  Lao  dcs  Illi 
nois.  Beyond  the  western  limits  of  Gitchi  Gomee,  the 
country  was  said  to  be  destitute  of  trees,  while  countless 
herds  of  deer  and  buffalo  roamed  over  the  vast  prairies. 
But  that  favored  portion  of  the  earth  was  inhabited  by 
the  Sioux,  a  warlike  band,  between  whom  and  the  Chip 
pewas  had  long  existed  a  deadly  hatred.  Thus  were 
those  choice  hunting-grounds,  to  the  Chippewas,  like 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Death  of  Kaymbault— Jogues'  Captivity  and  Hansom. 


paradise  to  our  first  parents,  protected  from  intrusion  by 
the  weapons  of  destruction. 

Very  late  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  1641,  the 
two  missionaries  returned  to  Pentanguishine,  intending 
to  revisit  the  Saut  early  the  following  spring.  But  the 
devoted  Raymbault  was  already  the  victim  of  that  in 
sidious  disease,  consumption,  induced,  no  doubt,  by  the 
exposures  and  privations  he  had  suffered ;  and  the  fol 
lowing  year  Father  Jogues  accompanied  him  to  Quebec, 
where  he  died,  in  October,  1642. 

After  the  death  of  Eaymbault,  Father  Jogues  attempt 
ed  to  return  to  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  but  while  ascending  the 
St.  Lawrence  he  was  captured  by  a  marauding  band  of 
Mohawk  Indians.  A  small  number  of  Huron  Indians, 
who  were  with  him,  were  also  captured,  and  were 
burned  at  the  stake.  The  missionary  himself  was  sub 
jected  to  the  most  ignominious  treatment,  but  was  finally 
ransomed  by  the  Dutch  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany.  He 
returned  to  France,  and  subsequently  revisited  the  scene 
of  his  labors  in  the  New  World. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  1660,  Kene  Mesnard,  another 
Jesuit  missionary,  left  Quebec,  resolved,  if  possible,  to 
make  greater  progress  than  his  predecessors  in  the  ex 
ploration  of  the  Northwest.  He  took  with  him  only  a 
scanty  supply  of  the  necessaries  of  life;  "for,"  said 
he,  "  I  trust  in  that  Providence  which  feeds  the  little 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  27 

Mesnard's  Explorations— Mysterious  Disappearance. 

birds  of  the  air,  and  clothes  the  wild-flowers  of  the 
desert." 

Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  he  ascended 
the  river  in  a  birch  canoe,  and  coasted  along  the  south 
ern  shore  of  GitcM  Gomee.  On  the  15th  of  October  he 
reached  the  head  of  Keweenaw  Bay,  to  which  he  gave 
the  name  of  St.  Theresa — the  day  of  his  arrival  being  the 
anniversary  of  that  patron  saint. 

Here  in  the  wilderness,  far  removed  from  the  comforts 
of  civilization,  did  the  old  man  (for  he  was  past  the  me 
ridian  of  life)  spend  the  long  dreary  winter,  with  no 
other  companions  than  the  untutored  red  men. 

In  the  spring,  accompanied  only  by  a  single  Indian, 
he  started  for  Chaquamegon  Bay,  near  the  head  of  the 
lake.  They  took  the  route  through  Portage  Lake ;  and 
while  the  Indian  was  engaged  in  carrying  the  canoe 
across  the  portage  to  Lake  Superior,  Father  Mesnard 
wandered  into  the  woods,  and  was  never  again  heard  of. 
The  presentiment  that  he  should  never  return  to  Quebec, 
which  he  had  often  expressed  in  letters  to  his  friends, 
was  thus  verified,  August  20th,  1661. 

Undaunted  by  the  melancholy  fate  of  his  predecessors, 
resolved  to  gratify  his  own  love  of  adventure,  and  at 
the  same  time  benefit  his  fellow-men,  Claude  Allouez 
embarked  at  Three  Eivers,  August  8th,  1666,  in  com 
pany  with  about  four  hundred  Indians,  who  had  been  to 


28  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Claude  Allouez— First  Map  of  Lake  Superior. 

Quebec  for  the  purposes  of  trade,  and  were  now  returning 
home.  Allouez  was  devotedly  attached  to  the  Order  of 
Jesuits,  and  unwilling  that  any  of  their  plans  should  fail 
to  fully  accomplish  the  desired  object.  ~No  doubt  his 
enthusiastic  mind,  in  its  solitary  day-dreams,  pictured 
hordes  of  savages  converted  from  heathenism  by  his  in 
strumentality. 

The  missionary  and  his  savage  companions  arrived 
safely  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie  early  in  September.  From 
thence  Father  Allouez  proceeded  immediately  to  Lake 
Superior.  "  This  lake,"  said  he,  "  shall  henceforth  bear 
the  name  of  M.  de  Tracy,  in  token  of  the  obligations 
the  people  of  this  region  owe  to  him."  Accordingly, 
the  first  map  of  Lake  Superior,  drawn  in  1668,  and 
published  in  1672,  supposed  to  be  the  work  of  Al 
louez  and  Marquette,  bears  the  name  of  Lac  Tracy  ou 
Superiewr. 

Of  this  map,  Dablon  says :  "  It  was  got  up  by  two 
Fathers,  very  intelligent  and  observing,  who  did  not  wish 
to  incorporate  any  thing  except  what  they  had  seen  with 
their  own  eyes.  That  is  the  reason  why  they  have  only 
inserted  the  upper  parts  of  Lakes  Huron  and  Illinois, 
although  they  had  coasted  much  on  both." 

In  "Foster  and  Whitney's  Eeport  of  the  Lake  Superior 
Eegion,"  are  the  following  observations :  "  When  it  is 
considered  that  these  men  were  not  engineers,  and  that 


EAELY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  29 

Lake  Superior  a  divinity — Copper  region. 

to  note  the  geographical  features  of  the  country  formed 
no  part  of  their  requirements,  this  map  may,  for  that 
age,  be  regarded  as  a  remarkable  production ;  although, 
occasionally,  points  are  laid  down  half  a  degree  from 
their  true  position.  The  whole  coast,  sixteen  hundred 
miles  in  extent,  as  well  as  the  islands,  were  explored. 
Even  Caribou,  a  low  island  in  the  midst  of  the  lake,  and 
not  visible  except  within  a  few  leagues,  did  not  escape 
their  observation." 

"The  savages,"  remarks  Allouez,  "respect  this  lake  as 
a  divinity,  and  offer  sacrifices  to  it  because  of  its  size,  for 
it  is  two  hundred  leagues  long,  and  eighty  broad ;  and 
also  in  consequence  of  its  furnishing  them  with  fish,  upon 
which  all  the  natives  live,  when  hunting  is  scarce  in 
these  quarters." 

That  the  discovery  of  copper  in  those  regions  is  not  a 
recent  event,  is  evident  from  the  following  description  of 
Allouez.  He  says :  "  It  frequently  happens  that  pieces 
of  copper  are  found,  weighing  from  ten  to  twenty  pounds. 
I  have  seen  several  such  pieces  in  the  hands  of  the  sava 
ges  ;  and,  since  they  are  very  superstitious,  they  regard 
them  as  divinities,  or  as  presents  given  to  them  to  pro 
mote  their  happiness,  by  the  gods  who  dwell  beneath 
the  water.  For  this  reason,  they  preserve  these  pieces 
of  copper,  wrapped  up  with  their  most  precious  articles. 
In  some  families  they  have  been  kept  for  more  than  fifty 


30  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Eock  of  Copper — Chaquamagon  Bay. 

years ;  in  others,  they  have  descended  from  time  out  of 
mind,  being  cherished  as  domestic  gods. 

u  For  some  time  there  was  seen  near  the  shore  a  large 
rock  of  copper,  with  its  top  rising  above  the  water,  which 
gave  opportunities  to  those  passing  by  to  cut  pieces  from 
it ;  but  when  I  passed  that  vicinity,  it  had  disappeared. 
I  believe  that  the  gales,  which  are  frequent,  like  those  of 
the  sea,  had  covered  it  with  sand.  One  savage  tried  to 
persuade  me  that  it  was  a  divinity,  who  had  disappeared, 
but  for  what  cause  he  was  unwilling  to  tell." 

At  the  bay  called  by  Father  Mesnard  Ste.  Theresa, 
Father  Allouez  found  "  two  Christian  women,  witnesses 
of  Mesnard's  labors,  who  had  preserved  their  faith,  and 
sparkled  like  two  stars  in  the  midst  of  the  darkness  of 
infidelity.  Having  refreshed  their  memories  with  our 
mysteries,  we  proceeded  on.  After  having  traveled  one 
hundred  and  eighty  leagues  along  the  border  of  the  lake, 
on  the  southern  side,  where  the  Lord  often  tried  our  pa 
tience  by  means  of  gales,  famine,  and  fatigue,  both  day 
and  night,  we  landed,  on  the  first  day  of  October,  at 
Chaquamagon,  a  beautiful  bay,  on  whose  margin  dwelt 
numerous  savages.  Their  warriors  amounted  to  eight 
hundred  men." 

Chaquamagon  is  the  old  La  Pointe  of  the  voyageurs. 
There  this  self-denying  missionary  lived  two  years.  He 
built  a  chapel,  and  zealously  prosecuted  the  work  of  win- 


EARLY  HISTOEY   OF  MICHIGAN.  31 

Allouez  visits  Fond  du  Lac — Interview  with  the  Sibux. 

ning  converts  to  his  own  faith.  When  he  first  arrived, 
he  learned  that  the  Chippewas  were  about  making  a 
warlike  expedition  against  the  Sioux ;  but  being  permit 
ted  to  advise,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  diverting  them 
from  their  bloody  enterprise. 

The  fame  of  Allouez  extended  to  all  the  surrounding 
tribes,  who  gathered  around  the  mission-house  to  gratify 
that  curiosity  which  is  an  inherent  quality  in  every 
human  breast,  mingled,  no  doubt,  with  an  indefinable 
desire  to  be  benefited  by  his  instructions. 

Some  time  during  the  two  years  of  his  sojourn,  he  vis 
ited  Fond  du  Lac,  where  he  met  a  number  of  the  Sioux, 
who  informed  him  that  there  was  a  vast  country  still 
farther,  west,  spread  out  in  beautiful  prairies,  over  which 
roamed  immense  herds  of  buffalo.  They  also  told  him 
of  a  great  river  called  Messepi  (Mississippi),  along  whose 
banks  dwelt  the  beaver. 

Allouez  also  extended  his  labors  to  the  Nipissisiniens, 
on  the  north  shore  of  the  lake.  Becoming  more  and 
more  deeply  interested  in  the  spiritual  necessities  of 
the  Indians,  he  returned  to  Quebec  in  the  fall  of  1667, 
to  obtain  aid  in  establishing  missions  in  different  parts 
of  the  Northwest.  So  successful  were  his  appeals,  that 
only  two  days  after  his  arrival,  having  accomplished 
his  object,  he  again  set  out  on  his  return  to  the  wil 
derness. 


32  EAKLY  HISTOKY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Mission  established  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie— Grand  Council 

The  following  year,  1668,  Claude  Dablon  and  James 
Marquette  proceeded  to  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  and  established 
a  permanent  mission.  From  this  period,  therefore,  Saut 
Ste.  Marie  dates  its  actual  settlement,  being,  according 
to  Bancroft,  the  oldest  in  the  State  of  Michigan. 

In  1669,  Marquette  succeeded  Allouez  at  Chaquama- 
gon,  or  La  Pointe,  and  the  latter  established  himself  at 
Green  Bay. 

"  In  May,  1671,"  says  Foster  and  Whitney's  Report, 
"a  grand  council  assembled  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie.  The 
chiefs  from  fourteen  of  the  tribes  of  the  Northwest  and 
the  soldiers  of  France  sat  in  council  together.  M. 
Fallon,  then  governor-general  of  New  France,  had  sent 
there  M.  de  Lusson,  to  take  possession,  in  the  name  of 
His  Majesty,  of  all  the  lands  lying  between  the  east  and 
west,  and  from  Montreal  to  the  south,  as  far  as  it  could 
be  done.  When  the  tribes  were  assembled,  the  ambas 
sador  selected  a  hill  above  the  village,  planted  the 
standard  of  the  cross,  and  raised  the  arms  of  the  king. 
The  cross  was  blessed  with  all  the  ceremonies  of  the 
Church,  by  the  superior  of  the  missions;  and  while 
being  raised,  the  Vexilla  was  chanted  by  the  assembled 
Frenchmen,  to  the  great  delight  of  the  savages.  The 
shield  of  France  was  suspended  from  a  cedar  post  above 
the  cross,  while  they  chanted  the  Exaudiat,  and  prayers 
were  offered  for  the  sacred  person  of  His  Majesty. 


OF 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  33 

St  Lusson  takes  possession  of  the  Country. 

"  St.  Lusson  formally  took  possession  of  the  lands  ; 
after  which  guns  were  fired,  and  other  manifestations  of 
joy  exhibited. 

"  Father  Allouez  was  present,  mindful  of  the  interests 
of  his  divine  as  well  as  temporal  master.  He  pro 
nounced  the  following  panegyric  on  the  king,  which  is 
worthy  of  being  preserved  : 

"  'It  is  a  most  important  affair  that  calls  us  together. 
Cast  your  eyes  on  that  cross  which  is  high  above  your 
heads.  It  is  there  where  the  Son  of  God  was  willing  to 
be  attached  and  to  die,  in  order  to  satisfy  His  eternal 
Father  for  your  sins.  He  is  the  master  of  our  lives,  and 
also  of  heaven,  and  earth,  and  hell.  It  is  He  of  whom 
I  have  often  spoken,  and  whose  name  and  word  I  have 
borne  into  these  distant  lands. 

"  c  But,  at  the  same  time,  look  upon  that  other  column, 
to  which  are  attached  the  arms  of  that  great  chief  of 
France  whom  we  call  king.  He  lives  beyond  the  sea. 
He  is  the  chief  of  chiefs,  and  has  not  his  like  in  the 
world.  All  the  chiefs  of  whom  you  haye  heard  are  but 
children  compared  with  him.  He  is  like  a  great  tree, 
while  they  are  mere  shrubs  which  we  tread  upon.  You 
know  Onontio  (the  governor-general),  the  renowned  chief 
of  Quebec.  You  know  that  he  is  the  terror  of  the  Iro- 
quois,  and  that  his  name  is  sufficient  to  make  them 
tremble,  since  he  has  desolated  their  lands,  and  carried 


34:  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Allouez"  panegyric  on  the  King  of  France. 

fire  among  their  settlements.  There  are  beyond  the 
sea,  ten  thousand  Onontios  like  him,  who  are  but  war 
riors  of  the  great  chief,  our  king,  of  whom  I  speak. 
When  he  says,  "I  go  to  war,"  everybody  obeys,  and 
these  ten  thousand  chiefs  raise  bands  of  warriors  both 
for  the  land  and  the  sea.  Some  embark  in  ships,  like 
those  you  have  seen  at  Quebec.  Your  canoes  will  hold 
but  four  or  five  men,  twelve  at  the  utmost.  Our  vessels 
carry  four  or  five  hundred,  and  even  a  thousand. 

"  '  Another  portion  go  to  war  on  land,  but  in  such 
numbers  that  when  arranged  in  double  ranks,  they 
would  reach  to  Mississaquenk,  which  is  twenty  leagues 
from  here.  "When  he  attacks,  he  is  more  fearful  than 
thunder.  The  earth  trembles,  and  the  air  and  sea  are 
on  fire  from  the  discharges  of  his  cannon.  He  has  been 
seen  in  the  midst  of  his  squadron  covered  with  the  blood 
of  his  enemies;  so  many  of  whom  has  he  put  to  the 
sword,  that  he  does  not  number  their  scalps,  but  merely 
the  rivers  of  blood  which  he  causes  to  flow.  He  carries 
such  a  number  of  captives  with  him  that  he  does  not 
value  them,  but  lets  them  go  when  they  please,  to  show 
that  he  does  not  fear  them.  Nobody  dare  make  war  on 
him.  All  nations  beyond  the  sea  have  sued  for  peace 
with  great  submission.  They  come  from  every  quarter 
of  the  globe  to  listen  to  him,  and  to  admire  him.  It  is 
he  who  decides  upon  the  affairs  of  the  world. 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  35 

Mission  at  St  Ignace — Exploration  of  Marquette. 

"  c  What  shall  I  say  of  his  riches  ?  You  think  your 
selves  rich  when  you  have  ten  or  twelve  sacks  of  corn, 
and  hatchets,  and  kettles,  and  other  things  of  the  kind. 
He  has  more  cities  than  you  have  men,  which  are  scat 
tered  over  a  space  of  more  than  five  hundred  leagues. 
In  each  city  there  are  hatchets  enough  to  cut  all  your 
wood,  kettles  enough  to  cook  all  your  caribou,  and  sugar 
enough  to  fill  all  your  wigwams.  His  house  extends 
farther  than  from  here  to  the  Saut,  is  higher  than  the 
tallest  of  your  trees,  and  contains  more  people  than  the 
largest  of  your  settlements  ever  contained.' 

"The  same  year  Marquette  removed  to  St.  Ignace, 
north  of  Mackinac.  Here  he  built  a  chapel  and  gath 
ered  about  him  the  wandering  Hurons.  Marquette  and 
Dablon  made  numerous  excursions  to  the  tribes  which 
dwelt  in  the  territory  now  embraced  in  northern  Illinois 
and  eastern  Wisconsin. 

"Marquette,  like  Allouez,  had  heard  marvelous  ac 
counts  of  the  region  beyond  the  great  lake,  and  longed 
to  explore  it ;  but  it  was  not  until  the  year  1673  that  he 
was  enabled  to  carry  his  project  into  execution.  His 
route  lay  up  the  Fox  river  through  Lake  Winnebago, 
and  thence  down  the  Wisconsin  into  the  Mississippi. 
In  this  expedition  he  was  accompanied  by  Joylet,  a 
courtier  of  France.  They  descended  the  mighty  current 
as  far  as  the  Arkansas,  and  then  turned  back.  They 


36  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Chicago — Death  of  Marquette. 

represented  that  they  were  hospitably  entertained  by  the 
Illinois,  who  dwelt  upon  its  banks,  while  by  other  tribes 
they  were  repulsed. 

"The  relation  of  this  voyage  of  Marquette  was  not 
published  until  some  time  after  his  death,  and  by  some 
was  considered  fabulous,  but  Bancroft  is  disposed  to 
adopt  it  as  worthy  of  entire  credence. 

"  Late  in  the  season,  the  voyageurs  reached  Chicago. 
Joylet  hastened  to  Quebec  to  announce  the  result  of 
their  discoveries,  while  Marquette  remained  to  plant  the 
standard  of  the  Cross  among  the  Miamis. 

"  The  manner  of  his  death  is  thus  narrated  by  Ban 
croft.  'In  sailing  from  Chicago  to  Mackinac  during 
the  following  spring,  he  entered  a  little  river  in  Mich 
igan.  Erecting  an  altar,  he  said  mass  after  the  rites  of 
the  Catholic  Church ;  then  begging  the  men  who  con 
ducted  his  canoe  to  leave  him  alone  for  half  an  hour — 

'  In  the  darkling  wood, 
Amid  the  cool  and  silence,  he  knelt  down 
And  offered  to  the  Mightiest  solemn  thanks 
And  supplication.' 

"  '  At  the  end  of  half  an  hour  they  went  to  seek  him, 
and  he  was  no  more.  The  good  missionary,  discoverer 
of  a  world,  had  fallen  asleep  on  the  margin  of  a  stream 
that  bears  his  name.  Near  the  mouth,  the  voyageurs 
dug  his  grave  in  the  sand.' 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  37 

Allouez,  Marquette,  and  Jogues — Catholic  Converts. 

"  This  event  happened  May  18th,  1675. 

"  Allouez  died  soon  after,  in  the  midst  of  his  labors 
among  the  Miainis. 

"Allouez,  Marquette,  and  Jogues  were  remarkable 
men ;  and  had  their  lots  been  cast  in  a  different  sphere, 
they  would  have  left  a  more  durable  impress  upon  the 
age  in  which  they  lived.  Their  efforts  to  win  the  tribes 
of  the  Northwest  to  the  standard  of  the  Cross,  prose 
cuted  with  great  zeal,  and  under  circumstances  of  pri 
vation  and  suffering,  may  be  regarded  as  abortive. 

"  There  is  something  impressive  in  the  rites  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  something  in  its  mysteries  calculated 
to  overawe  the  wild  men  of  the  woods.  So  long  as  the 
missionary  was  in  their  midst  and  superintended  their 
labors,  they  yielded  to  his  guidance  and  adopted  his 
recommendations,  so  far  at  least  as  conduced  to  their 
comfort;  but  when  he  withdrew,  with  equal  facility 
they  glided  into  their  former  habits.  The  superstruc 
ture,  raised  with  so  much  care,  fell  to  the  ground  the 
moment  the  sustaining  hand  was  withdrawn. 

"  The  effect  of  the  contact  of  the  two  races  has  been 
to  afford  the  Indian  additional  incentives  to  vice,  while 
his  intellectual  and  moral  elevation  has  been  little  ad 
vanced  ;  and  at  this  day,  it  cannot  be  said  that  he  stands 
higher  in  the  scale  of  civilization  than  when  first  known 
by  the  white  man." 


CHAPTER  II. 

Count  Frontenac  appointed  Governor-General  of  New  France — Fort 
Frontenac  built — La  Salle  appointed  Commandant — Eesigns  his  com 
mand Crosses  Lake  Ontario — Ascends  the  Niagara  river — Builds  the 

Griffin— Traverses  lakes  and  rivers  to  Michilimackinac — Indian  vil 
lages  on  the  Detroit — Storm  on  Lake  Huron — Michilimackinac — Sig 
nification  of  the  name — Murder  of  two  French  traders — Arrest  of  the 
murderers — Their  trial  and  execution. 

FREQUENT  changes  occurred  in  the  administration  of 
the  colonial  affairs  of  New  France,  from  the  death  of 
Champlain,  in  1635,  to  the  year  1672,  when  the  Count 
de  Frontenac  was  appointed  governor-general.  He  was 
the  god-son  of  Louis  XIII.,  and  was  honored  with  his 
name. 

Brave,  judicious,  and  energetic,  Frontenac  was  well 
qualified  to  manage  the  affairs  of  this  new  province. 
His  first  efforts  were  directed  to  the  extension  of  the 
French  interests  in  the  region  of  the  great  lakes.  Under 
his  guidance  and  encouragement,  the  posts  at  Michili 
mackinac  and  Saut  Ste.  Marie  were  established,  former 
explorations  perfected,  and  conciliatory  treaties  made 
with  the  immense  hordes  of  Indians  who  roamed  through 
that  far-off  wilderness. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  39 

Old  Koute  1p  the  Upper  Lakes— La  Salle— Fort  Frontenac. 

The  route  by  which  the  Jesuits  and  traders  penetrated 
into  these  wilds  was  by  way  of  the  Ottawa  river,  with 
its  numerous  rapids,  and  consequent  toilsome  portages, 
as  far  as  Little  Kiver.  Ascending  this  stream,  they 
crossed  numerous  small  lakes  to  Lake  Nepissing,  thence 
down  the  French  river  to  Georgian  Bay,  which  forms 
the  eastern  portion  of  Lake  Huron.  Birch  canoes,  so 
light  as  to  be  earned  over  the  portages  on  the  shoulders 
of  one  or  two  men,  were  their  ships ;  while  their  stores, 
and  munitions  of  war,  consisted  only  of  such  articles  as 
could  be  transported  in  like  manner. 

While  Mesnard,  Allouez,  Marquette,  and  others  were 
thus  exploring  the  far  Northwest,  La  Salle,  with  another 
band  of  adventurers,  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Lake 
Ontario.  Near  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  on  the  northern 
shore,  they  established  a  trading-post  to  which  they  gave 
the  name  of  Fort  Frontenac,  in  honor  of  the  governor- 
general. 

Eobert,  Chevalier  de  la  Salle,  was  appointed  comman 
dant.  He  was  a  man  of  genius,  enterprise,  undoubted 
talent,  and  indomitable  perseverance,  and  the  originator 
of  the  plan  for  a  chain  of  fortifications  afterward  estab 
lished  on  the  water-line  in  the  Northwest.  Ambitious 
to  complete  the  exploration  of  the  Mississippi  which 
had  been  begun  by  Marquette,  and  unwilling  to  under 
take  the  voyage  in  the  frail  canoes  hitherto  employed, 


40  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Griffin,  first  Vessel  on  Lake  Erie— Louis  Hennepin. 

he  formed  the  design  of  building  a  vessel  suitable  for 
his  purpose.  Accordingly,  he  resigned  his  command  at 
Fort  Frontenac,  traversed  the  length  of  Lake  Ontario, 
ascended  the  Niagara  river  to  the  great  cataract,  where 
he  "  made  the  portage."  Two  leagues  above  the  great 
fall  he  erected  a  rude  fortification,  and  commenced  his 
work,  undaunted  by  the  numerous  difficulties  that  sur 
rounded  him.  Late  in  the  autumn  of  1678  the  keel  of 
the  vessel  was  laid,  and  on  the  7th  of  August,  1679,  she 
set  sail  on  the  first  voyage  which  had  ever  been  made 
by  Europeans  upon  that  inland  sea,  amid  the  sound  of 
Te  Deums  and  the  discharge  of  arquebuses. 

The  vessel  was  called  the  Griffin,  and  the  image  of 
that  mythological  animal  was  carved  upon  her  prow. 
She  was  of  sixty  tons  burden,  and  carried  five  guns. 
La  Salle  was  her  commander,  and  Louis  Hennepin,  the 
missionary,  ardently  zealous  in  the  pursuit  of  new  dis 
coveries,  was  the  journalist  of  the  expedition.  The  crew 
consisted  of  fur-traders  belonging  to  the  Canadian  colo 
nies.  Ignorant  of  the  depth  of  the  water,  they  sounded 
frequently  while  dashing  along  over  Lake  Erie's  foam- 
crested  waves.  On  the  10th  of  August  they  reached  the 
islands  which  are  grouped  at  the  entrance  of  Detroit 
river,  where  they  anchored. 

Hennepin  says  of  these  islands :  "  They  are  the  finest 
in  the  world.  The  strait  (detroit)  is  finer  than  Niagara, 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Detroit  Eiver  —  Teuchsagrondie  —  Storm  on  Lake  Huron. 

being  one  league  broad,  excepting  that  part  which  forms 
the  lake  that  we  have  called  St.  Glair." 

Ascending  the  river,  the  explorers  found  along  its 
banks  several  Indian  villages,  belonging  to  different 
tribes  who  were  at  peace  with  each  other.  A  large 
village  of  the  Hurons,  called  Teuchsagrondie^  stood  on 
the  present  site  of  Detroit.  These  villages  had  been 
visited  by  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  and  the  coureurs  des 
lois,  but  no  'settlement  had  yet  been  attempted. 

On  Lake  Huron,  La  Salle's  vessel  encountered  a  vio 
lent  storm,  and  was  in  imminent  danger  of  shipwreck. 
The  pilot  was  a  skillful  and  experienced  seaman.  While 
the  rest  were  saying  their  prayers  and  preparing  for 
death,  he  stood  at  the  rudder,  "  cursing  La  Salle,  who 
had  brought  him  hither  to  perish  in  a  dirty  lake,  and 
lose  the  glory  he  had  acquired  by  his  long  and  prosper 
ous  navigation  of  the  ocean." 

At  length  the  storm  abated,  and  the  following  day  the 
Griffin  lay  anchored  in  a  little  cove  opposite  the  island 
of  Michilimackinac,  sheltered  on  the  north  by  a  point  of 
the  peninsula  on  which  stood  a  village  of  the  Hurons. 
The  word  Michilimackinac*  (great  turtle)  is  a  most 


°  Schoolcraft  says  that  the  present  Indian  signification  of  the  name  of 
this  island  is  "  Place  of  the  Dancing  Spirits,"  and  that  the  popular  ety 
mology,  which  derives  the  word  from  "big  turtle,"  dates  still  farther 
back,  and  is  founded  on  the  fact  that  the  michi  were  turtle  spirits. 


4:2  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Michilimackinac— Signification— Habits  of  the  Savages. 

significant  name  for  this  island.  It  is  nearly  round,  and 
rises  high  above  the  water,  at  first  view  appearing  not 
unlike  a  gigantic  specimen  of  the  animal  whose  name  it 
bears.  The  French  gave  the  same  appellation  to  all  the 
country  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  both  on  the  upper  and 
lower  peninsula. 

Father  Hennepin  says :  "  Michilimackinac  is  a  neck 
of  land  to  the  north  of  the  strait  through  which  the  lake 
of  the  Illinois  discharges  itself  into  Lake  Huron.  "We 
lay  between  two  different  nations  of  the  savages ;  those 
who  inhabit  the  point  of  Michilimackinac  are  called 
Hurons,  and  the  others,  who  are  about  three  or  four 
leagues  more  northward,  are  Outawas." 

Describing  the  habits  of  the  savages,  he  says:  "They 
sow  Indian  corn,  which  is  their  ordinary  food,  for  they 
have  nothing  else  to  live  upon,  except  the  fish  they  take 
from  the  lakes.  They  boil  their  fish  with  their  saga- 
mittee,  a  kind  of  broth  made  of  water  and  the  flour  of 
corn,  which  they  beat  in  a  mortar  made  of  the  trunk  of 
a  tree,  which  they  make  hollow  by  fire." 

In  1683  two  French  traders,  Jacques  le  Maire  and 
Colin  Berthot,  left  Saut  Ste.  Marie  with  a  large  quantity 
of  merchandise,  which  they  were  carrying  to  Kiaonan, 
an  Indian  village  and  trading-post  on  the  shore  of  Lake 
Superior.  They  were  murdered  on  the  way  by  three 
Indians,  belonging  to  two  different  tribes,  who  secreted 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  43 

Murder  of  French  Traders— Bravery  of  Du  Lhut  and  Pere. 

their  bodies  and  the  merchandise  which  they  had  in 
their  custody. 

As  soon  as  a  knowledge  of  the  affair  reached  M.  du 
Lhut,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac,  he  at  once  set 
about  bringing  the  offenders  to  justice.  Almost  alone, 
in  the  far-off  wilderness,  with  but  a  handful  of  French 
men  in  the  whole  region,  at  the  mercy  of  countless 
hordes  of  savages,  the  daring  intrepidity  exhibited  by 
M.  du  Lhut  and  M.  Pere  has  scarcely  a  parallel  in  the 
history  of  the  settlement  of  this  country. 

The  following  letter  from  M.  du  Lhut  to  Count  Fron- 
tenac,  governor-general  of  Canada,  gives  a  minute  and 
interesting  account  of  the  occurrence  : 

"MICHILIMACKINAC,  April  12,  1684. 

"  MONSIEUR  : — I  did  myself  the  honor  to  write  to  you 
in  September  and  October  of  last  year,  giving  an  ac 
count  of  a  murder  committed  by  the  children  of  Achi- 
ganaga.  Allow  me  now  to  inform  you  of  the  means  I 
used  to  avenge  the  death  of  the  two  assassinated  French 
men  of  whom  I  spoke. 

"  To  follow  the  affair  step  by  step,  be  pleased  to  know, 
sir,  that  on  the  24th  of  October  last,  I  was  told  that 
Folle-Avoine,  accomplice  in  the  murder  and  robbery  of 
the  two  Frenchmen,  had  arrived  at  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  with 
fifteen  families  of  the  Sauteurs,  who  had  fled  from  Cha- 


44  EAELY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

M.  du  Lhut,  with  only  six  men,  proceeds  to  the  Saut 

ouamigon,  on  account  of  an  attack  which  they,  together 
with  the  people  of  the  land,  made  last  spring  upon  the 
Nadouecioux. 

"  He  believed  himself  safe  at  the  Saut,  on  account  of 
the  number  of  allies  and  relatives  he  had  there.  Rev. 
Father  Albanet  informed  me  that  the  French  at  the 
Saut,  being  only  twelve  in  number,  had  not  arrested 
him,  believing  themselves  too  weak  to  contend  with 
such  numbers,  especially  as  the  Sauteurs  had  declared 
that  they  would  not  allow  the  French  to  redden  the  land 
of  their  fathers  with  the  blood  of  their  brothers. 

"  On  receiving  this  information,  I  immediately  re 
solved  to  take  with  me  six  Frenchmen,  and  embark  at 
the  dawn  of  the  next  day  for  the  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  and, 
if  possible,  obtain  possession  of  the  murderer.  I  made 
known  my  design  to  the  Rev.  Father  Enialran ;  and  at 
my  request,  as  he  had  some  business  to  arrange  with 
Rev.  Father  Albanet,  he  placed  himself  in  my  canoe. 

"  Having  arrived  within  a  league  of  the  village  of  the 
Saut,  the  Rev.  Father,  the  Chevalier  de  Fourcille,  Car- 
donniere  and  I,  disembarked.  I  caused  the  canoe,  in 
which  were  Baribaud,  Le  Mere,  La  Fortune,  and  Magons, 
to  proceed,  while  we  went  across  the  wood  to  the  house 
of  the  Rev.  Father,  fearing  that  the  savages,  seeing  me, 
might  suspect  the  object  of  my  visit,  and  cause  Folle- 
Avoine  to  escape. 


EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN-.  45 

Arrest  of  Folle-Avoine— Council  called— Achiganaga  accused. 

"Finally,  to  cut  the  matter  short,  I  arrested  him, 
and  caused  him  to  be  guarded  day  and  night  by  six 
Frenchmen. 

"1  then  called  a  council,  at  which  I  requested -all  the 
savages  of  the  place  to  be  present,  where  I  repeated  what 
I  had  often  said  to  the  Hurons  and  Ottawas  since  the 
departure  of  M.  Pere,  giving  them  the  message  you 
ordered  me,  sir,  that  in  case  there  should  be  among 
them  any  spirits  so  evil-disposed  as  to  follow  the  exam 
ple  of  those  who  have  murdered  the  French  on  Lake 
Superior  and  Lake  Michigan,  they  must  separate  the 
guilty  from  the  innocent,  as  I  did  not  wish  the  whole 
nation  to  suffer,  unless  they  protected  the  guilty. 

"I  informed  them  that  I  expected  those  present  to 
declare  themselves;  that  if  there  were  any  factious 
spirits  who  intended  to  shield  Folle-Avoine,  I  might 
know  them,  and  they  would  see  that  I  did  not  fear  them 
enough  to  prevent  me  from  doing  my  duty. 

"The  savages  held  several  councils  to  which  I  was 
invited ;  but  their  only  object  seemed  to  be  to  exculpate 
the  prisoner,  in  order  that  I  might  release  him.  All 
united  in  accusing  Achiganaga  and  his  children,  assu 
ring  themselves  with  the  belief  that  M.  Pere,  with  his 
detachment,  would  not  be  able  to  arrest  them,  and  wish 
ing  to  persuade  me  that  they  apprehended  that  all  the 
Frenchmen  might  be  killed. 


46  EARLY    HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

French  threatened— Intrepidity  of  M.  du  Lhut 

"  I  answered  them,  in  respect  to  Folle-Avoine,  that  I 
was  not  obliged  to  believe  a  man  whom  I  looked  upon 
as  having  helped  to  shed  the  blood  of  my  brothers ;  that 
meanwhile,  in  consequence  of  the  submission  to  the  orders 
of  Onontio,  their  father,  which  they  manifested,  I  should 
determine  nothing,  until  I  might  be  better  informed  of 
the  facts ;  and,  moreover,  if  I  had  no  more  convincing 
proof  against  him  than  that  which  was  already  known 
to  me,  I  would  give  him  back  to  them.  If,  on  the  con 
trary,  it  was  true  that  he  was  of  the  number  of  the 
assassins,  I  would  see  in  what  way  I  would  dispose  of 
him.  As  to  the  anticipated  death  of  M.  Pere,  as  well 
as  of  the  other  Frenchmen,  that  would  not  embarrass  me, 
since  I  believed  neither  the  allies  nor  the  nation  of  Achi- 
ganaga  would  wish  to  have  a  war  with  us  to  sustain  an 
action  so  dark  as  that  of  which  we  were  speaking.  So, 
having  only  to  attack  a  few  murderers,  or  at  most  those 
of  their  own  family,  I  was  certain  that  the  French  would 
have  them,  dead  or  alive.  This  was  all  the  answer  they 
had  from  me  during  the  three  days  that  the  councils 
lasted;  after  which  I  embarked,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  sustained  by  only  twelve  Frenchmen,  to  show 
a  few  seditious  persons,  who  boasted  of  taking  the  pris 
oner  away  from  me,  that  the  French  did  not  fear  them. 

"  I  received  accounts  daily  of  the  numbers  of  savages 
that  Achiganaga  drew  from  his  nation  to  Kiaonan,  under 


EAELY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  47 

M.  Per6  arrests  Achiganaga  and  his  four  Sons. 

pretext  of  going  to  war  in  the  spring  against  the  ISTa- 
douecioux,  to  avenge  the  death  of  one  of  his  relatives, 
son  of  Ouenaus,  but  really  to  protect  himself  against  us, 
in  case  we  should  become  convinced  that  his  children 
had  killed  the  Frenchmen.  This  precaution  placed  me 
between  hope  and  fear  respecting  the  expedition  which 
M.  Pere  had  undertaken. 

"  On  the  24th  of  November  he  came  across  the  wood, 
at  ten  o'clock  at  night,  to  tell  me  that  he  had  arrested 
Achiganaga  and  four  of  his  children.  He  said  it  was 
true  that  they  were  not  all  guilty  of  the  murder,  but  he 
had  thought  proper,  in  this  affair,  to  follow  the  custom 
of  the  savages,  which  is,  to  seize  all  the  relatives. 
Folle-Avoine.  whom  I  had  arrested,  he  considered  the 
most  guilty,  being  without  doubt  the  originator  of  the 
mischief. 

"  I  immediately  gave  orders  that  Folle-Avoine  should 
be  more  closely  confined,  and  not  be  allowed  to  speak  to 
any  one ;  for  I  had  also  learned  that  he  had  a  brother, 
sister,  and  uncle  in  the  village  of  the  Kiskakons. 

"M.  Pere  informed  me  that  he  had  released  the 
youngest  son  of  Achiganaga,  aged  about  thirteen  or 
fourteen  years,  that  he  might  make  known  to  their 
nation,  and  to  the  Sauteurs  who  were  at  Nocke  and  in 
the  neighborhood,  the  reason  why  the  French  had  ar 
rested  his  father  and  brothers.  M.  Pere  bade  him 


48  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Prisoners  brought  to  Saut  Ste.  Marie— Council  called. 

assure  the  savages  that  c  if  any  one  wished  to  complain 
of  what  he  had  done,  he  would  wait  for  them  with  a 
firm  step  ;'  for  he  considered  himself  in  a  condition  to 
set  them  at  defiance,  having  found  at  Kiaonan  eighteen 
Frenchmen  who  had  wintered  there.  However,  no  one 
opposed  his  design. 

"  On  the  25th,  at  break  of  day,  M.  Pere  embarked  at 
the  Saut,  with  four  good  men  whom  I  gave  him,  to  go  and 
meet  the  prisoners.  He  had  left  them  four  leagues  from 
there,  under  a  guard  of  twelve  Frenchmen,  and  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  arrived.  I  had  prepared  a 
room  in  my  house  for  the  prisoners,  in  which  they  were 
placed  under  a  strong  guard,  and  were  not  allowed  to 
converse  with  any  one. 

"  On  the  26th,  I  commenced  proceedings ;  and  this, 
sir,  is  the  course  I  pursued.  I  gave  notice  to  all  the 
chiefs  and  elders  to  appear  at  the  council  which  I  had 
appointed,  and  gave  to  Folle-Avoine  the  privilege  of 
selecting  two  of  his  relatives  to  support  his  interests ; 
and  to  the  other  prisoners  I  made  the  same  offer. 

"  The  council  being  assembled,  I  sent  for  Folle-Avoine 
to  be  interrogated,  and  caused  his  answers  to  be  written ; 
and  afterwards  they  were  read  to  him,  and  inquiry  made 
whether  they  were  not,  word  for  word,  what  he  had  said. 
He  was  then  removed  from  the  council  under  a  safe 
guard.  I  used  the  same  form  with  the  two  eldest  sons 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  49 


Testimony  committed  to  writing — Confrontation  of  tho  Prisoners. 

of  Achiganaga;  and  as  Folle:Avoiiie  had  indirectly 
charged  the  father  with  being  accessory  to  the  murder, 
I  sent  for  him,  and  also  for  Folle-Avoine,  and  bring 
ing  them  into  the  council,  confronted  the  four.  Folle- 
Avoine  and  the  two  sons  of  Achiganaga  accused  each 
other  of  committing  the  murder,  without  denying  that 
they  were  participators  in  the  crime.  Achiganaga  alone 
strongly  maintained  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the  design 
of  Folle-Avoine,  nor  of  his  children,  and  called  on  them 
to  say  if  he  had  counselled  them  to  kill  the  Frenchmen. 
They  answered  '  ~No !' 

"This  confrontation,  which  the  savages  did  not  ex 
pect,  surprised  them  ;  and  seeing  the  prisoners  had  con 
victed  themselves  of  the  murder,  the  chiefs  said :  '  It  is 
enough,  you  accuse  yourselves ;  the  French  are  masters 
of  your  bodies.' 

"The  next  day  I  held  another  council,  in  which  I 
said  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  the  Frenchmen  had 
been  robbed  and  murdered ;  that  the  murderers  were 
known,  and  that  they  knew  what  the  practice  was 
among  themselves  on  similar  occasions.  To  all  this 
they  said  nothing,  which  obliged  me  on  the  following 
day  to  hold  another  council  in  the  cabin  of  Brochet, 
where,  after  having  spoken,  and  seeing  that  they  would 
make  no  decision,  and  that  all  my  councils  ended  only 

in  reducing  tobacco  to  ashes,  I  told  them  that  since 

4 


50  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Savage  Customs — French  Council— Threats  of  the  Savages. 

they  did  not  wish  to  decide,  I  should  take  the  responsi 
bility,  and  that  the  next  day  I  would  let  them  know  the 
determination  of  the  French  and  myself. 

"It  is  proper,  sir,  you  should  know  that  I  observed 
all  these  ceremonies  only  to  see  if  they  would  feel  it 
their  duty  to  render  to  us  the  same  justice  that  they  do 
to  each  other,  having  had  divers  examples  of  similar 
cases  in  which,  when  the  tribes  of  those  who  had  com 
mitted  the  murder  did  not  wish  to  go  to  war  with  the 
tribe  aggrieved,  the  nearest  relations  of  the  murderers 
killed  them  themselves,  that  is  to  say,  man  for  man. 

"  On  the  29th  of  November  I  gathered  together  the 
French  that  were  here,  and  after  the  interrogations  and 
answers  of  the  accused  had  been  read  to  them,  the  guilt 
of  all  three  appeared  so  evident,  from  their  own  con 
fessions,  that  the  vote  was  unanimous  that  all  three 
should  die.  But,  as  the  French,  who  remained  at 
Kiaonan  to  pass  the  winter,  had  written  to  Father 
Enialran  and  to  myself,  to  beg  of  us  to  treat  the  affair 
with  all  possible  leniency,  the  savages  declaring  that  if 
they  made  the  prisoners  die  they  would  avenge  them 
selves  on  the  French. 

"  I  told  the  gentlemen  who  were  with  me  in  council, 
that  this  being  an  affair  without  a  precedent,  I  believed 
it  was  expedient,  for  the  safety  of  all  the  French  who 
would  pass  the  winter  in  the  Lake  Superior  country,  to 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  51 

The  Decision— Council  of  the  Chiefs— Speech  of  M.  du  Lhut. 

put  to  death  only  two,  as  the  death  of  the  third  might 
bring  about  grievous  consequences ;  while,  on  the  con 
trary,  the  putting  to  death  of  man  for  man  could  give 
the  savages  no  cause  for  complaint,  since  this  is  their 
own  custom  under  the  circumstances. 

M.  de  la  Tour,  chief  of  the  Fathers,  who  had  served 
much,  sustained  my  opinions  by  strong  reasoning ;  and 
all  the  gentlemen  whom  I  had  called  in  council  decided 
that  two  should  be  shot,  namely,  Folle-Avoine,  and  the 
elder  of  the  two  brothers,  while  the  younger  should  be 
released,  and  hold  his  life  as  a  gift  from  you,  sir. 

"  I  then  returned  to  the  cabin  of  Brochet  with  Messrs. 
Boisguillot,  Pere,  De  Kepentigny,  De  Manthet,  De  la 
Ferte,  and  Macons,  where  were  all  the  chiefs  of  the 
Outawas  du  Sable,  Outawas  Sinagos,  Kiskakons,  Sau- 
teurs,  Mississagues,  D'Achiliny,  a  part  of  the  Hurons, 
and  Oumamens,  chief  of  the  Amikoys.  1  informed  them 
of  our  decision,  telling  them,  that,  not  being  ignorant 
of  the  murder  committed  on  the  two  Frenchmen,  and 
knowing  all  the  murderers,  I  was  surprised  that  no  one 
dared  to  decide  for  us,  and  cause  justice  to  be  done. 
Meanwhile,  Onontio  had  lost  his  blood,  it  was  yet  warm, 
and  it  was  necessary  to  have  other  blood  to  satisfy  him. 

"  I  then  informed  them  that  the  Frenchmen  having 
been  killed  by  two  different  nations,  one  of  each  nation 
must  die,  and  that  the  same  death  they  had  caused  the 


52  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Two  Murderers  sentenced  to  Death— Surprise  of  the  Savages. 

French  to  suffer,  they  must  also  suffer ;  therefore  they 
must  be  shot ;  that,  to  the  third  prisoner,  you,  sir,  would 
give  his  life,  on  condition  that  he  would  tell  all  his  allies 
the  great  kindness  you  had  done  him.  I  told  them  that 
if  I  did  not  relax  the  rigor  of  our  laws,  I  should  put  to 
death  all  six  of  those  who  had  participated  in  the  theft, 
and  perhaps  contributed  to  the  murder  by  their  wicked 
counsel,  but  for  this  time  I  hoped  you  would  not  con 
demn  me  for  my  mildness. 

"  This  decision,  to  put  the  murderers  to  death,  was  a 
hard  stroke  to  them  all,  for  none  had  believed  that  I 
would  dare  undertake  it. 

"  The  Outawas  du  Sable,  and  the  Outawas  Sinagos,  in 
order  to  have  no  trouble  with  you,  sir,  had  appeared  to 
blame  their  conduct,  and  not  to  care  what  became  of 
them ;  but  then,  Falon  Seleva,  chief  of  the  Outawas  du 
Sable,  after  a  long  harangue,  concluded  that,  if  I  dared, 
I  would  give  them  life. 

"  The  chief  of  the  Outawas  Sinagos  said  that  he  had 
captured  some  of  the  Iroquois,  and  that  M.  Courcelle 
asked  him  to  deliver  them  over  to  him,  promising  that 
they  should  have  their  life,  and  that  I  ought  to  do  the 
pame  by  the  prisoners.  The  Sauteurs  having  left  the 
Saut,  had  appointed  Oumamens,  chief  of  the  Amikoys, 
to  speak  for  them.  He  thanked  me  that  I  had  satisfied 
myself  with  so  little,  praising  the  Frenchman  for  his 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  53 

Beasons  given  in  Council  for  condemning  the  Murderers. 

good  heart,  which  prompted  him  to  release  the  father 
and  three  of  his  children.  The  other  nations  said 
nothing. 

"  The  different  sentiments  expressed,  made  me  reply 
to  the  first,  that  if  the  accused  were  prisoners  of  war,  I 
should  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  give  them  their  life ; 
but,  being  murderers,  it  was  necessary  they  should  die, 
as  an  example  to  those  who  might  have  similar  de 
signs,  and,  by  this  fear,  would  be  prevented  from  com 
mitting  murder  so  easily,  especially  from  taking  the 
lives  of  Frenchmen.  I  told  them  they  knew  very  well 
that  I  loved  all  men,  but  that  I  did  not  fear  them  enough 
to  prevent  me  from  executing  your  orders,  which  are, 
to  cause  those  to  die  who  kill  the  French ;  that,  having 
become  master  of  those  who  had  killed  your  first  chil 
dren,  if  I  did  not  cause  them  to  be  put  to  death,  you 
would  believe  it  was  the  fear  I  had  of  men ;  and  that  as 
soon  as  I  should  come  into  your  presence,  you  would 
make  me  suffer  the  death  which  their  crime  deserved. 
Besides,  I  was  not  the  author  of  their  death,  but  only 
spoke  the  sentiments  of  all  the  elders. 

"  I  also  reminded  them  that  this  was  but  the  fruit  of 
their  own  teachings :  they  had  taught  their  youth  that 
to  kill  a  Frenchman  was  not  an  affair  of  much  im 
portance,  since  one  was  acquitted  for  a  captive  or  a 
pack  of  beaver ;  for,  till  now,  no  more  troublesome  con- 


54:  EAKLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Prisoners  baptized— Executed— Goods  found. 

sequences  than  these  had  befallen  those  who  had  mur 
dered.  But,  had  they  taught  their  young  men  that 
murder  was  a  wicked  thing,  and,  if  committed,  the 
nation  would  abandon  them,  they  would  have  been 
more  wise,  and  the  Frenchmen  would  still  be  alive. 

"  I  then  left  the  council,  and  asked  the  Rev.  Fathers 
if  they  wished  to  baptize  the  prisoners,  which  they 
did. 

"  An  hour  after,  I  put  myself  at  the  head  of  forty-two 
Frenchmen,  and  in  sight  of  more  than  four  hundred 
savages,  and  within  two  hundred  paces  of  their  fort,  I 
caused  the  two  murderers  to  be  shot. 

"The  impossibility  of  keeping  them  till  spring,  to 
send  them  to  you,  sir,  made  me  hasten  their  death, 
being  persuaded  that  in  such  cases  prompt  execution  is 
necessary  to  calm  all  things,  and  not  to  give  time  to 
interested  persons  to  take  measures  to  get  away  the 
prisoners. 

"When  M.  Pere  made  the  arrest,  those  who  had 
committed  the  murder  confessed  it ;  and  when  he  asked 
them  what  they  had  done  with  our  goods,  they  answered 
that  they  were  almost  all  concealed.  He  immediately 
proceeded  to  the  place  of  concealment,  and  was  very 
much  surprised,  as  were  also  the  French  who  were  with 
him,  to  find  the  goods  in  fifteen  or  twenty  different 
places.  By  the  carelessness  of  the  savages,  the  tobacco 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  55 

Tobacco  and  Powder  destroyed — Discovery  of  the  Bodies. 

and  powder  were  entirely  destroyed,  having  been  placed 
in  the  pinery,  under  the  roots  of  the  trees,  and  being 
soaked  in  the  water  caused  by  ten  or  twelve  days'  con 
tinued  rain,  which  inundated  all  the  lower  country. 
The  season  for  snow  and  ice  having  come,  they  had  all 
the  trouble  in  the  world  to  get  out  the  bales  of  cloth. 
They  then  went  to  see  the  bodies,  but  could  not  remove 
them,  these  miserable  wretches  having  thrown  them  into 
a  marsh,  and  thrust  them  down  into  holes  which  they 
had  made.  ISTot  satisfied  with  that,  they  had  also  piled 
branches  of  trees  upon  the  bodies,  to  prevent  them  from 
floating  when  the  water  should  rise  in  the  spring ; 
hoping  that,  by  this  precaution,  the  French  would  find 
no  trace  of  those  who  were  killed,  but  would  believe 
them  drowned,  by  being  upset,  as  they  reported  that 
they  had  found  in  the  lake,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Portage,  a  boat  with  the  sides  all  broken  in,  which  they 
believed  to  be  a  French  boat. 

"  Those  goods  which  the  French  were  able  to  secure, 
they  took  to  Kiaonan,  where  were  a  number  of  French 
men,  who  had  gone  there  to  pass  the  winter,  and  who 
knew  nothing  of  the  death  of  Colin  Berthot  and  Jacques 
le  Maire,  until  M.  Pere  arrived.  The  ten  who  formed 
M.  Pere's  detachment,  having  conferred  together  con 
cerning  the  measures  they  should  take  to  prevent  a  total 
loss,  decided  to  sell  the  goods  to  the  highest  bidder. 


56  EARLY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Rescued  Goods  sold— M.  Per6  and  the  Savages. 

The  sale  was  made  for  1100  livres,  which  amount  was 
to  be  paid  in  beavers,  to  M.  de  la  Chesnaye,  to  whom  I 
send  the  names  of  the  purchasers. 

"The  savages  who  were  present  when  Achiganaga 
and  his  children  were  arrested,  wished  to  dance  the 
calumet  to  M.  Pere,  and  give  him  captives  to  satisfy 
him  for  the  murder  committed  on  the  two  Frenchmen  ; 
but  he  knew  their  intention,  and  would  not  accept  their 
offer.  He  told  them  neither  a  hundred  captives  nor  a 
hundred  packs  of  beaver  would  give  back  the  blood  of 
his  brothers ;  that  the  murderers  must  be  given  up  to 
me,  and  I  would  see  what  I  would  do. 

"I  caused  M.  Pere  to  repeat  these  things  in  the 
council,  that  in  future  the  savages  need  not  think  by 
presents  to  save  those  who  commit  similar  deeds.  Be 
sides,  sir,  M.  Pere  showed  plainly,  by  his  conduct  in 
investigating  this  affair,  that  he  is  not  so  strongly  in 
clined  to  favor  the  savages  as  was  reported.  Indeed  I 
do  not  know  any  one  whom  they  fear  more,  yet  who 
flatters  them  less,  or  knows  them  better. 

"  The  criminals  being  in  two  different  places,  M.  Pere 
being  himself  obliged  to  keep  four  of  them,  sent  Messrs. 
de  Eepentigny,  Manthet,  and  six  other  Frenchmen,  to 
arrest  the  two  who  were  among  their  people  eight 
leagues  in  the  woods,  which  they  did  promptly  and 
vigorously.  Among  others.  M.  de  Eepentigny  and.  M. 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN-.  57 

•     Chevrotiere— Peace  Councils— Mutual  Gifts. 

de  Manthet  showed  that  they  feared  nothing  when  their 
honor  called  them. 

"  M.  de  la  Chevrotiere  has  also  served  well  in  person 
and  by  his  advice,  having  indicated  the  place  where  the 
prisoners  were.  Achiganaga,  who  had  adopted  him  as 
a  son,  had  told  him  where  he  should  hunt  during  the 
winter. 

"Two  days  after  the  murderers  were  shot,  the  Bas- 
kakons,  Outawas  du  Sable,  and  the  Outawas  Sinagos 
held  a  council,  in  which  they  gave  me  six  strings  of 
wampum,  each  nation  two,  '  to  cover  the  dead  French 
men  and  dry  up  their  blood,  that  the  earth  might  be 
beautiful  in  future.' 

"  An  hour  afterwards,  they  made  the  same  presents  to 
Achiganaga,  and  to  the  friends  of  Folle-Avoine,  who 
were  still  here. 

"The  next  day  I  had  a  great  festival  of  corn  and 
tobacco  in  the  cabin  of  Brochet,  in  order  ;  to  take  away 
the  sickness  of  heart  that  he  had,  because  I  pronounced 
the  sentence  of  death  on  two  savages  in  his  house,  with 
out  even  speaking  to  him  about  it.' 

"  To  this  feast,  all  the  chiefs  and  elders  of  the  nation 
before-mentioned  were  invited.  The  Hurons  gave  me 
three  strings  of  wampum  for  the  same  reason  that  the 
others  were  given.  They  also  gave  three  for  the  Sau- 
teurs  and  the  Folle-Avoines. 


58  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN". 

Presents  to  Achiganaga— His  Departure  and  Death. 

"  It  still  remained  for  me  to  give  to  Achiganaga  and 
his  three  children  the  means  to  return  to  their  family, 
which  they  could  not  do  without  my  assistance.  Their 
home,  from  which  they  were  taken,  was  nearly  twenty- 
six  leagues  from  here.  Knowing  their  necessity,  I  told 
them  you  would  not  be  satisfied  with  giving  them  life. 
You  wished  also  to  preserve  it,  by  giving  them  all  that 
was  necessaiy  to  prevent  them  from  dying  with  hunger 
and  cold  by  the  way,  and  that  your  gift  was  made  by 
iny  hands.  I  gave  them  blankets  and  shirts,  guns  and 
ammunition,  tobacco,  meat,  hatchets,  knives,  twine  to 
make  nets  for  beavers,  and  two  bags  of  corn,  to  supply 
them  till  they  could  kill  game. 

"They  departed  two  days  after,  the  most  contented 
creatures  in  the  world ;  but  God  was  not,  for  when  only 
two  days'  journey  from  here,  the  old  Achiganaga  fell 
sick  of  the  quinsy  and  died,  and  his  children  returned. 
When  the  news  of  his  death  arrived,  the  greater  part 
of  the  savages  of  this  place  attributed  his  death  to  the 
French,  saying  we  had  caused  him  to  die.  I  let  them 
talk,  and  laughed  at  them. 

"  It  is  only  about  two  months  since  the  children  of 
Achiganaga  returned  to  Kiaonan.  I  gave  them  letters 
to  the  French  there,  requesting  them  to  say  nothing  to 
the  savages  about  the  death  of  their  companions,  having 
taken  the  satisfaction  that  I  believed  to  be  just. 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  59 

Achiganaga's  Children— The  Sauteurs. 

"  The  Sauteurs  gave  them  necklaces,  to  remind  them 
that  they  should  take  good  care  to  avoid  agitating  the 
subject  of  the  death  of  their  brother ;  and  in  case  any 
should  have  a  wicked  design,  the  necklaces,  of  which 
they  were  the  bearers,  would  deter  them  from  its  exe 
cution. 

"  As  for  me,  I  doubt  not  this  example  will  make  them 
wiser,  and  that  it  may  produce  good  results." 


CHAPTER  III. 

Count  Frontenac  removed  from  office— Succeeded  by  M.  le  Barre — Le 
Barre  recalled,  and  De  Nonville  appointed — M.  du  Lhut  ordered  to 
establish  a  fort  on  the  Detroit  Count  Frontenac  reappointed  to  the 
government  of  Canada — Attempts  a  reconciliation  with  the  Illinois — 
Invasion  of  Canada  by  the  English  in  1690 — Attack  on  Montreal — 
Unsuccessful  expedition  against  Quebec — Frontenac  invades  the  coun 
try  of  the  Iroquois — M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  appointed  commandant  at 
Michilimackinac — Kemonstrates  against  the  prohibition  of  the  sale  of 
brandy  to  the  Indians — General  account  of  the  country,  its  condition, 
and  inhabitants. 

A  MAN  of  Count  Frontenac's  abilities  could  not  long 
occupy  an  exalted  position  without  making  enemies ; 
and  so  successful  were  his  enemies  in  their  intrigues,  that 
they  accomplished  their  design  of  causing  his  removal 
from  the  government  of  Canada,  in  the  summer  of  1684. 

M.  de  la  Barre,  his  successor,  arrived  at  Quebec  the 
same  season.  He  was  entirely  unacquainted  with  the 
Indian  character,  and  commenced  his  administration  by 
attempting  to  overcome  the  Five  Nations  by  force  of 
arms.  The  consequences  were  most  disastrous  to  the 
French ;  and  in  1685  La  Barre  was  recalled,  and  the 
Marquis  de  Nonville  appointed  in  his  place. 

In  1686  M.  du  Lhut,  who  still  commanded  at  Michili 
mackinac,  was  succeeded  by  M.  Perot,  and  received, 


EARLY  HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN.  61 

M.  Perot  succeeds  Du  Lhut— Detroit. 

through  M.  Durantaye,  special  commissioner,  the  follow 
ing  orders  concerning  his  future  movements  : 

LETTER  TO  M.  DU  LHUT. 

"MONTREAL,  6th  June,  1686. 

"  MONSIEUR  : — Although  I  have  ordered  you  to  come 
to  me  this  autumn,  that  I  might  confer  with  you  con 
cerning  many  things  that  may  not  be  written,  yet  Rev. 
Father  Anjolran  having  come  here,  and  being  obliged 
to  return  to  Michilimackinac  as  soon  as  the  restitution  of 
prisoners  shall  have  been  made,  your  presence  is  much 
more  necessary  to  the  Outawas  than  to  me.  Therefore, 
I  now  direct  you  to  remain,  and  unite  with  M.  de  la 
Durantaye,  who  is  to  be  at  Michilimackinac,  in  the 
execution  of  the  orders  which  I  send  him,  for  the  safety 
of  our  allies  and  friends. 

"  You  will  see  by  the  letter  which  I  have  written  to 
M.  Durantaye,  that  I  wish  you  to  establish  a  post  on  the 
Detroit,  near  Lake  Erie,  with  a  garrison  of  fifty  men. 
I  desire  you  to  choose  an  advantageous  place  to  secure 
the  passage,  which  may  protect  our  savages  who  go  to 
the  chase,  and  serve  them  as  an  asylum  against  their 
enemies  and  ours. 

"  You  will  do  and  say  nothing  to  the  Iroquois,  unless 
they  undertake  something  against  us  and  our  allies. 
You  will  also  see  that  my  intention  is,  that  you  go  to 


62  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Orders  concerning  the  Establishment  of  a  Trading-post 

this  new  post  as  soon  as  possible,  with  twenty  men  only, 
whom  you  will  establish  under  the  command  of  your 
lieutenant.  You  will  select  such  a  man  for  this  station 
as  shall  best  suit  you,  one  whom  you  consider  most  suit 
able  for  the  command. 

"After  having  given  all  the  orders  that  you  may 
judge  necessary  for  the  safety  of  this  post,  and  having 
well  secured  obedience  from  the  soldiers,  you  will  return 
to  Michilimackinac,  there  to  await  Rev.  Father  Anjolran, 
by  whom  I  will  communicate  what  I  wish  of  you  there. 
You  will  then  return  to  the  said  post,  with  thirty  other 
men,  whom  you  will  receive  from  M.  Durantaye,  in 
order  to  fully  establish  the  position.  You  will  take  care 
that  each  provide  himself  with  provisions  sufficient  for 
Iris  subsistence  at  the  said  post,  where,  I  doubt  not,  you 
may  trade  for  peltries ;  therefore  your  men  will  not  do 
ill  to  carry  some  goods  there  also. 

"  I  strongly  recommend  you  to  maintain  a  good  under 
standing  with  M.  Durantaye,  without  which  our  designs 
will  come  to  nothing,  and  the  service  of  the  king  and 
the  public  will  suffer  much.  The  post  to  which  I  send 
you  is  of  much  more  importance,  as  I  expect  it  will 
bring  you  in  contact  with  the  Illinois,  to  whom  you 
will  make  known  those  things  of  which  you  will  be 
informed  by  Rev.  Father  Anjolran.  Consider  nothing 
of  so  much  importance  as  the  proper  execution  of  all 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  63 

Fort  St.  Joseph  built— Abandoned  in  1688. 

which  I  now  command  you,  and  which  I  shall  make 
known  to  you  by  the  Kev.  Father  on  his  return  to 
Michilimackinac. 

"I  send  you  the  necessary  commission  for  the  com 
mand  of  this  post,  also  one  for  your  lieutenant.  Con 
cerning  your  own  interests  I  say  nothing ;  but  you  may 
expect  that  I  will  do  with  pleasure  all  that  will  be  for 
your  advantage. 

"  Allow  me  to  repeat  to  you  once  more,  that  you  can 
not  use  too  much  diligence  to  succeed  in  all  that  I  shall 
require  of  you  for  the  service  of  the  king.  If  you  can 
so  arrange  your  affairs  that  your  brother  can  be  near 
you  in  the  spring,  I  shall  be  very  glad.  He  is  an  intel 
ligent  lad,  and  might  be  a  great  assistance  to  you ;  he 
might  also  be  very  serviceable  to  us. 

"  I  beg  you  to  avoid,  in  conversation,  any  allusion  to 
our  designs."* 

In  obedience  to  these  instructions,  M.  du  Lhut  pro 
ceeded  to  the  entrance  of  the  strait  from  Lake  Huron, 
where  he  erected  a  fortified  trading-post,  which  he 
named  Fort  St.  Joseph.  This  fort  was  abandoned  in 
1688,  only  two  years  after  it  was  built.  It  stood  on  the 
present  site  of  Fort  Gratiot. 

o  "This  letter  is  without  signature,  but  every  thing  causes  us  to  think 
that  it  was  from  the  governor-general." — Note  on  the  MS. 


64  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

War  In  Canada — Far  Indians — Frontenac  reappointed. 

Meanwhile,  affairs  in  Canada  waxed  worse  and  worse. 
The  English  traders,  who  had  become  quite  numerous 
in  the  region  of  the  Iroquois,  instigated  that  powerful 
nation,  or  rather  confederacy  of  nations,  to  an  attack 
upon  the  French  settlements  in  Canada.  An  open  war 
ensued.  In  almost  every  skirmish — for  the  Indians  sel 
dom  fight  open  battles — the  French  were  the  most 
severe  sufferers. 

The  Far  Indians,  as  those  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great 
lakes  were  called,  began  to  manifest  dissatisfaction  and 
distrust  of  the  French.  In  this  critical .  state  of  affairs, 
M.  de  Konville  was  recalled,  and  Count  de  Frontenac 
reappointed  governor-general.  He  arrived  at  Quebec 
October  15th,  1689,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  colonists. 

"The  arrival  of  Frontenac,"  says  the  McDougall 
MS.,  "was  hailed  by  the  French  as  the  dawn  of  a 
deliverance  from  their  calamities.  The  wise  policy  pur 
sued  by  him  during  his  former  administration  was  now 
apparent  to  every  one.  A  more  judicious  selection 
could  not  have  been  made  in  the  present  desperate  situ 
ation  of  affairs. 

"JS"ew  and  unforeseen  troubles  began  to  arise.  The 
abdication  of  James  II.  involved  France  in  a  war  with 
England.  The  example  set  in  Europe  of  forming  na 
tional  alliances  was  greatly  improved  in  America ;  for, 
while  the  English  colonies  had  become  the  allies  of  the 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  65 

Frontenac's  Proposals  for  Peace  rejected  by  the  Iroquois. 

Five  Nations,  they,  in  turn,  became  the  allies  of  the  Far 
Indians. 

"  Count  Frontenac  first  attempted  to  bring  about  a 
reconciliation  with  the  Illinois.  For  this  purpose,  he 
sent  ambassadors  to  their  country  to  inform  them  '  that 
their  old  friend  Frontenac  had  returned;  that  he  had 
brought  back  Tawerahet,  the  Cayuga  sachem,  and  twelve 
of  their  tribe,  who  had  been  sent  to  France  by  De  Non- 
ville ;  that  he  was  sorry  the  tomahawk  had  been  dug  up 
during  his  absence ;  and  that  he  was  desirous  of  plant 
ing  the  tree  of  peace,  and  burying  the  hatchet  under  its 
branches.' 

"The  savages,  encouraged  by  the  English,  and  fur 
nished  with  guns  and  ammunition,  instead  of  listening  to 
these  propositions,  assumed,  if  possible,  an  aspect  more 
terrific  than  ever;  and  Frontenac  soon  found  that  he 
had  to  contend,  not  only  with  the  English  colonies  and 
Iroquois,  but  with  the  Ottawas,  Hurons,  Miamis,  Illi 
nois,  Pottawatomies,  and  several  other  tribes  of  western. 
Indians. 

"  The  good  old  governor,  now  in  the  sixty-eighth  year 
of  his  age,  did  not  once  suffer  his  fortitude  to  forsake 
him.  His  mental  and  physical  abilities  were  undimin- 
ished ;  and  by  his  indefatigable  exertions,  several  of  the 
outposts,  which  had  been  partially  demolished  and  aban 
doned,  were  rebuilt. 

5 


66  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Invasion  of  Canada  by  the  English  and  Iroquois. 

"Early  in  1690,  an  invasion  of  Canada  was  planned 
by  the  New  England  and  New  York  colonies,  in  con 
junction  with,  their  allies.  The  New  York  troops  and 
Indians  were  to  march  by  land  and  attack  Montreal, 
while  the  New  England  forces  were  to  proceed  by  water 
and  storm  Quebec. 

"  Accordingly  the  land  forces,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Schuyler,  left  Albany  about  midsummer.  Hav 
ing  arrived  at  Chambly,  they  were  discovered  by  a 
Frenchman,  who  proceeded  with  all  possible  speed  to 
Montreal  with  the  intelligence,  so  that  a  day  or  two  was 
allowed  to  prepare  for  the  invaders.  Monsieur  Callieres 
was  commandant  at  Montreal,  and,  fortunately,  the  gov 
ernor  himself  was  there  at  that  time. 

"The  attack  was  commenced  on  the  militia,  which 
gave  way ;  but  as  soon  as  the  regulars  w^ere  brought 
into  action  the  English  were  repulsed  at  every  point, 
and  finally  dispersed,  not,  however,  without  the  loss  of 
three  hundred  men. 

"  On  receiving  intelligence  that  a  large  armament 
was  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  Frontenac,  with  three  hundred 
troops,  repaired  forthwith  to  Quebec;  and  by  rowing 
night  and  day,  arrived  there  a  day  or  two  before  the 
attack  was  made.  This  fleet,  consisting  of  thirty-four 
sail  and  two  thousand  men,  commanded  by  Sir  William 
Phipps,  arrived  on  the  Tth  of  October.  The  town  con- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  67 


Frontenac— Sir  Wm.  Phipps  at  Quebec. 


tained  but  few  troops,  and  would  have  surrendered  at 
discretion,  had  an  attack  been  made  at  once ;  but  with 
the  same  imbecility  which  prevented  a  co-operation  with 
Major  Schuyler,  Sir  William  continued  to  disgrace  the 
expedition.  He  accordingly  came  to  anchor,  and  lay  in 
the  bay  five  days,  and  did  nothing  but  send  a  flag  on 
the  fourth  day  to  Frontenac,  with  an  insulting  letter, 
requiring  an  unconditional  surrender. 

"  The  next  day  it  was  discovered  that  Sir  "William  was 
landing  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  men  four  miles  below 
the  town.  The  French  and  Indians  repaired  to  a  wood 
through  which  the  English  must  pass,  and  concealed 
themselves.  The  unsuspecting  invaders  had  proceeded 
part  way  through  the  wood,  when  suddenly  they  were 
assailed  in  every  direction.  They  fled  precipitately,  in 
the  utmost  confusion,  leaving  nearly  four  hundred  dead 
on  the  spot.  The  total  loss  of  the  French  and  Indians 
was  only  sixteen ! 

"  On  the  following  day,  Sir  William  landed  four 
pieces  of  artillery,  with  one  thousand  men,  to  force  the 
wood,  while  he  commenced  bombarding  the  town. 
These  were  again  met  and  completely  repulsed,  with 
the  loss  of  between  three  and  four  hundred  of  the  enemy 
and  all  their  artillery,  while  the  loss  of  the  French  was 
but  forty.  Sir  William,  having  kept  up  •  the  fire  for 
twenty-four  hours,  raised  the  siege,  proceeded  down  the 


6S  EARLY   HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Savage  Incursions — Frontenac's  Ketaliation. 

St.  Lawrence,  and  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  13th  of 
November. 

"  The  savages  continued  their  incursions  all  along  the 
St.  Lawrence,  laying  waste  plantations,  and  carrying  off 
many  scalps.  The  farmers  could  not  cultivate  their 
land,  provisions  became  scarce,  and  the  inhabitants  were 
obliged  to  feed  the  soldiers,  while  their  own  children 
were  famishing. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1693,  Frontenac  invaded  the 
country  of  the  Iroquois,  destroyed  three  castles,  and,  two 
years  afterward,  rebuilt  Fort  Cadaraqui.  The  following 
year,  1696,  he  destroyed  a  strong  fort  at  Onondaga, 
erected  by  the  English  about  six  years  previously,  to 
gether  with  several  Indian  villages.  He  also  made  a 
number  of  prisoners. 

"Thus  the  war  was  continued,  with  varied  success, 
until  the  peace  of  Kyswick  restored  order  in  Europe, 
which  soon  extended  to  America." 

During  this  eventful  period  in  the  history  of  ISTew 
France,  while  many  of  the  French  trading-posts  were 
abandoned,  Saut  Ste.  Marie  and  Michilimackinac,  though 
suffering  much  from  constant  anxiety  and  privation,  with 
stood  the  tide  of  war,  and  maintained  their  position.  M. 
Perot,  commandant  at  Michilimackinac  during  the  first 
years  of  the  war,  was  a  man  of  great  ability;  yet  he 
often  found  his  powers  fully  taxed  in  maintaining  order 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  69 

Saut  Ste.  Mario— Michilimackinac. 

and  subordination  amid  the  discordant  elements  of  his 
little  garrison,  consisting  of  soldiers,  fur-traders,  and 
cowreurs  des  l)ois,  deprived  of  their  former  exciting  oc 
cupations,  and  surrounded  as  they  were  with  every  pos 
sible  discouragement.  The  disaffection  of  many  of  their 
Indian  allies,  and  the  frequent  incursions  of  the  hostile 
Iroquois,  almost  destroyed  the  fur-trade,  while  nearly  all 
intercourse  with  Quebec  and  Montreal  was  cut  off.  Yet 
the  heroic  commandant  remained  firm  at  his  post — 
though  at  one  time,  for  many  months,  the  fish,  which 
were  abundant  in  the  waters  almost  beneath  their  feet, 
constituted  the  only  food  of  the  garrison. 

About  the  year  1691,  M.  de  la  Porte  Louvigny  was 
appointed  commandant  in  place  of  M.  Perot,  and  was 
himself  superseded  by  M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac  in  1696. 

Since  the  year  1684  the  Iroquois  had  kept  up  an 
almost  continual  state  of  warfare  with  the  French  and 
their  allies;  and  Count  Frontenac  found  there  was  no 
way  to  terminate  this  harassing  state  of  affairs,  except 
by  treating  the  prisoners  of  war  according  to  the  Indian 
customs,  and  M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac  received  orders 
accordingly. 

Representations  of  the  bad  effects  produced  upon  the 
Indians  by  the  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks  had  been  re 
peatedly  made  to  Louis  XI Y.  In  1694  the  king  and 
bishops  began  seriously  to  question  the  propriety  of 


70  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN". 

Decision  of  the  Sorbonne — Cadillac's  Eemonstrance. 

allowing  brandy  and  other  intoxicating  drinks  to  be 
transported  to  Michilimackinac  as  an  article  of  traffic. 
After  much  discussion,  the  subject  was  finally  referred 
to  the  Sorlonne  for  decision.  Upon  mature  deliberation, 
this  august  body  decided  the  question  in  the  negative, 
and  the  king  immediately  issued  an  edict  forbidding  the 
transportation  of  brandy  to  Michilimackinac  as  an  article 
of  traffic. 

The  French  at  that  post  submitted  to  this  prohibition 
with  a  very  bad  grace,  and  the  following  letter  from  M. 
de  la  Motte  Cadillac  gives  his  view  of  the  subject.  It 
also  contains  an  interesting  history  of  the  condition  of 
the  fort  and  its  surroundings,  with  an  account  of  his 
obedience  to  the  barbarous  but  perhaps  necessary  orders 
of  Count  Frontenac.  The  letter  appears  to  have  been 
written  to  a  personal  friend,  at  Quebec. 

"FORT  BUADE,  MICHILIMACKINAC,  August  3,  1695. 

"MONSIEUR: — You  already  know,  without  doubt,  that 
Count  Frontenac  appointed  me,  last  year,  to  the  com 
mand  of  this  country,  in  the  place  of  M.  Louvigny ;  and 
that  the  convoy  which  I  conducted  revolted,  the  season 
being  bad,  and  very  far  advanced. 

"  My  departure  was  on  the  24th  of  September,  and  I 
could  only  go  twenty-five  leagues  in  twelve  days,  on 
account  of  the  continued  rains  and  contrary  winds  that 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  71 

Mutiny— Yoyageurs  return— Cadillac  proceeds. 

prevailed.  I  did  all  I  could  to  encourage  the  voyageurs 
to  proceed  on  the  journey,  but  to  no  purpose ;  and,  not 
knowing  what  else  to  do,  I  took  the  resolution  to  send 
them  back,  in  good  condition — foreseeing  that  they 
would  not  fail  to  go,  even  without  my  permission.  I 
was  not  sorry  afterward  that  I  resolved  upon  this  course, 
though  the  remainder  of  the  journey  seemed  frightful, 
on  account  of  the  quantities  of  floating  ice  in  the  large 
lakes  which  we  must  cross.  However,  I  decided,  with 
out  hesitation,  to  accomplish  the  journey,  or  perish  by 
the  way.  Accordingly,  I  made  choice  of  five  of  the 
most  vigorous  men  in  the  convoy,  and  two  savages ;  and 
taking  only  sufficient  food  for  two  months,  I  continued 
my  journey,  and  at  length  reached  my  destination. 

"  I  immediately  found  myself  in  circumstances  of 
great  embarrassment,  in  consequence  of  the  departure  of 
the  convoy  that  goes  down  to  Montreal  yearly,  and  by 
the  arrival  of  the  one  that  comes  from  that  place.  This 
post  is  the  rendezvous  of  the  chiefs  of  all  the  nations  in 
the  surrounding  country,  and  I  was  obliged  to  be  in  their 
councils  to  decide  all  their  different  propositions.  These 
circumstances  caused  me  so  great  heaviness,  that  I 
sought  relief  by  fully  informing  Count  Frontenac  of 
affairs  here,  and  you,  without  doubt,  have  received  bet 
ter  information  from  him  than  I  could  give,  whatever 
care  I  might  devote  to  the  subject. 


72  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Kenewal  of  the  War  with  the  Iroquois— Prisoners  burned. 

"  As  there  was  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  on  proposi 
tions  of  peace  made  by  the  Iroquois,  with  much  appa 
rent  submission,  it  was  necessary  to  make  great  efforts 
to  induce  all  these  nations  to  recommence  the  war,  ac 
cording  to  the  orders  I  had  received.  Although  there 
went  out  from  here,  and  from  the  villages  depending 
upon  this  post,  about  eight  or  nine  hundred  men,  in 
different  parties,  they  only  brought  in  fifty-six  scalps, 
and  made  four  prisoners,  whom  we  burned,  according 
to  their  custom,  notwithstanding  all  the  assurances  the 
victims  could  give  that  a  treaty  of  peace  had  already 
been  made  at  Montreal. 

"As  the  Iroquois  are  not  to  be  trusted,  our  allies 
were  not  disposed  to  believe  the  assurances  of  the  pris 
oners,  and  finally  subjected  them  to  the  usual  treat 
ment  of  those  who  fall  alive  into  the  hands  of  their 
enemies.  There  are  several  parties  which  have  not  yet 
returned;  if  they  bring  any  prisoners  to  me,  I  can 
assure  you  their  fate  will  be  no  sweeter  than  that  of  the 
others. 

"  From  the  orders  he  gave  me,  I  am  persuaded  that 
the  Count  will  prosecute  the  war  with  greater  energy 
than  ever  before.  Nor  do  I  believe  that  in  future  he 
will  be  in  a  mood  to  listen  to  any  propositions  from 
the  Iroquois,  who  have  at  last  yielded  to  the  powerful 
efforts  made  by  the  English  to  dissuade  them  from  com- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  73 

ManathS— Condition  of  Michilimackinac. 

pleting  the  treaty  of  peace  for  which  they  had  been  so 
very  solicitous. 

"I  am  fully  persuaded  of  the  necessity  of  taking 
Manathe.  As  long  as  that  place  stands,  we  shall  never 
be  masters  of  these  nations.  Experience  has  taught  me, 
better  than  I  had  before  known,  that,  so  long  as  Manathe 
stands,  occasions  will  always  be  found  for  its  people  to 
annoy  us. 

"  In  regard  to  the  decision  made  by  the  court,  con 
cerning  the  transportation  of  liquors  to  this  place,  I  am. 
far  from  daring  to  disapprove  of  it;  but  nothing  can 
induce  me  to  be  entirely  silent  on  a  subject  involving  so 
deeply  the  interest  of  the  king. 

"  It  is  a  great  mistake,  if  people  have  an  idea  that  this 
place  is  deserted ;  if  it  be  possible  that  any  are  in  this 
belief,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  correct  the  erroneous  im 
pression.  It  is  very  important  that  you  should  know, 
in  case  you  are  not  already  informed,  that  this  village  is 
one  of  the  largest  in  all  Canada.  There  is  a  fine  fort 
of  pickets,  and  sixty  houses,  that  form  a  street  in  a 
straight  line.  There  is  a  garrison  of  well-disciplined, 
chosen  soldiers,  consisting  of  about  two  hundred  men, 
the  best-formed  and  most  athletic  to  be  found  in  this 
New  World ;  besides  many  other  persons  who  are  resi 
dents  here  during  two  or  three  months  in  the  year. 
This  being  an  indubitable  fact,  it  seems  to  me  that 


74:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Michilimackinac— Food  of  the  Inhabitants— Population— Products. 

this  place  should  not  be  deprived  of  the  privilege  which 
His  Majesty  has  accorded  to  all  the  other  places  and 
villages  in  Canada— the  privilege  of  furnishing  them 
selves  with  the  necessary  drinks  for  their  use.  If  there 
are  but  few  places  which  should  enjoy  this  liberty,  this 
would  undoubtedly  be  one,  as  it  is  exposed  to  all  kinds 
of  fatigue.  The  situation  of  the  place,  and  the  food 
also,  require  it. 

"The  houses  are  arranged  along  the  shore  of  this 
great  Lake  Huron,  and  fish  and  smoked  meat  constitute 
the  principal  food  of  the  inhabitants,  so  that  a  drink  of 
1>randy,  after  the  repast,  seems  necessary  to  cook  the 
Inlious  meats,  and  the  crudities  which  they  leave  in  the 
stomach.  The  air  is  penetrating  and  corrosive,  and 
without  the  brandy  that  they  use  in  the  morning,  sick 
ness  would  be  much  more  frequent. 

"  The  villages  of  the  savages,  in  which  there  are  six 
or  seven  thousand  souls,  are  about  a  pistol-shot  distant 
from  ours.  All  the  lands  are  cleared  for  about  three 
leagues  around  their  village,  and  perfectly  well  culti 
vated.  They  produce  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Indian 
corn  for  the  use  of  both  the  French  and  savage  inhab 
itants.  The  question  is,  then,  what  reason  can  there  be 
for  this  prohibition  of  intoxicating  drinks,  in  regard  to 
the  French  who  are  here  now,  and  who  only  go  and 
come  once  a  year?  Are  they  not  subjects  of  the  king, 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  75 

Cadillac's  argument  for  sale  of  Brandy — War  customs  of  the  Savages. 

even  as  others?  In  what  country,  then,  or  in  what  land, 
until  now,  have  they  taken  from  the  French  the  right  to 
use  brandy,  provided  they  did  not  become  disorderly? 
And  if,  by  chance,  some  should  become  so,  the  com 
mandants  know  how  to  apply  the  remedy.  They  can 
imprison,  fetter,  and  chastise  disorderly  persons  here  as 
well  as  elsewhere. 

"  E"ow  what  reason  can  one  assign  that  the  savages 
should  not  drink  brandy  bought  with  their  own  money  as 
well  as  we  ?  Is  it  prohibited  to  prevent^them  from  becom 
ing  intoxicated  ?  or  is  it  because  the  use  of  brandy  reduces 
them  to  extreme  misery — placing  it  out  of  their  power  to 
make  war,  by  depriving  them  of  clothing  and  arms  ?  If 
such  representations  in  regard  to  the  Indians  have  been 
made  to  the  Count,  they  are  very  false,  as  every  one 
knows  who  is  acquainted  with  the  ways  of  the  savages. 

"  It  is  an  undeniable  fact,  that  the  law  strictly  forbids 
any  one  to  trade  with  the  savages  for  their  arms,  under 
pain  of  a  large  pecuniary  fine.  As  for  their  clothing, 
can  any  one  assert  that  clothing  is  necessary  for  them 
when  they  go  to  war,  since  everybody  knows  that  it  is 
the  custom  of  all  the  nations  here,  when  they  { go  to  eat 
their  enemy  on  his  own  land,'*  they  go  naked,  and  paint 

o  »  When  the  business  is  to  declare  war,  in  form,  between  two  or  three 
nations,  the  manner  of  expressing  it  is,  to  '  hang  the  kettle  over  the 
fire ;'  which  has  its  origin,  without  doubt,  in  the  barbarous  custom  of 


76  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

War-paint— Disposal  of  Property— Rendition  to  the  Victors. 

themselves  black  and  red  from  head  to  foot,  if  they  are 
rich  enough  to  do  it. 

"  It  is  the  custom,  when  the  moment  comes  for  their 
departure  on  warlike  expeditions,  for  each  warrior  to 
dispose  of  all  his  clothing,  making  presents  of  the  dif 
ferent  articles  to  those  who  remain  at  home ;  and  on 
their  return,  while  they  are  singing  their  songs  of  war, 
of  prowess,  and  of  victory,  it  is  permitted  to  each  of 
them  to  gather  all  that  belongs  to  him,  such  as  guns, 
bows  and  arrows,  kettles,  and  even  all  they  can  seize  of 
the  spoils  of  their  enemies,  which  consist  only  of  such 
articles  as  I  have  mentioned. 

"It  is  bad  faith  to  represent  to  the  Count  that  the 
sale  of  brandy  reduces  the  savage  to  a  state  of  nu 
dity,  and  by  that  means  places  it  out  of  his  power  to 
make  war;  since  he  never  goes  to  war  in  any  other 
condition. 

"  It  is  certain  that  the  bravest  of  their  warriors  have 
never  used  more  than  half  a  pound  of  powder,  and  a 
pound  of  balls,  in  one  battle.  Their  manner  is  to  fire 

eating  their  prisoners,  and  those  they  have  killed,  after  boiling  them. 
They  likewise  say,  simply,  that  '  they  are  going  to  eat  such  a  nation,' 
which  signifies  that  they  are  going  to  make  war  against  them  in  the 
most  destructive  and  outrageous  manner ;  and  indeed  they  seldom  do 
otherwise.  When  they  intend  to  engage  an  ally  in  the  quarrel,  they 
send  him  a  porcelain  or  wampum,  which  is  a  large  shell,  in  order  to 
invite  him  to  drink  the  blood,  or,  as  the  terms  made  use  of  signify,  the 
broth  of  the  flesh  of  their  enemies." — Charlevoix. 


EAELY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  77 

Savage  mode  of  Fighting — Great  Council — Indian  Speech. 

three  or  four  times,  and  when  they  have  the  advantage 
of  their  enemy,  they  rush  upon  him.  They  are  very 
strong  and  quick,  and,  as  they  never  rally,  their  battles 
are  soon  ended. 

"  Finally,  this  prohibiting  the  transportation  of  brandy 
to  this  place,  has  much  discouraged  the  Frenchmen  who 
are  here,  from  trading  in  future.  Ceasing  to  sell  liquor 
to  the  savages  has  caused  a  universal  commotion  among 
all  the  nations,  as  will  be  seen  by  what  took  place  here 
on  the  21st  of  last  March.  All  the  chiefs,  and  a  large 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  all  the  surrounding  villages, 
assembled  here,  and  addressed  me  as  follows : 

" '  O  chief,  what  evil  have  thy  children  done  to 
thee,  that  thou  shouldst  treat  them  so  badly  ?  Those  that 
came  before  thee  were  not  so  severe  upon  us.  It  is  not 
to  quarrel  with  thee  that  we  came  here,  it  is  only  to 
know  for  what  reason  thou  wishest  to  prevent  us  from 
drinking  brandy.  Thou  shouldst  look  upon  us  as  thy 
friends,  and  the  brothers  of  the  French,  or  else  as  thy 
enemies.  If  we  are  thy  friends,  leave  us  the  liberty  of 
drinking;  our  beaver  is  worth  thy  brandy,  and  the 
Master  of  Life  gave  us  both,  to  make  us  happy.  If 
thou  wish  to  treat  us  as  thy  enemies,  or  as  thy  slaves, 
do  not  be  angry  if  we  carry  our  beaver  to  Orange,  or 
Corland,  where  they  will  give  us  brandy,  as  much  as  we 
want.' 


78  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Cadillac's  reply — Hurons  go  to  the  English  for  Brandy. 

"This  speech  did  not  fail  to  embarrass  me,  and  I 
thought  best  to  make  them  the  following  answer  : 

" '  My  children,  I  am  a  good  father ;  I  have  a  very 
tender  heart,  and  I  hear  from  afar  the  cries  of  my  chil 
dren.  I  do  not  wish  to  wrong  you,  still  less  to  treat  you 
as  my  enemies,  or  my  slaves.  Do  not  be  angry  if  you 
Lave  no  brandy  this  year.  The  reason  for  it  is,  that  the 
trees  which  produce  it  on  the  other  side  of  the  great 
water,  have  frozen  this  year,  and  the  vessels  only  brought 
a  very  little,  so  that  the  French  could  scarcely  have 
what  they  wanted  for  themselves.  The  frost  that  de 
stroyed  your  corn  this  year,  has  also  destroyed  the  fruit 
from  which  they  make  the  liquor ;  it  is  to  be  hoped  that 
next  year  you  will  not  lack.  Take  courage,  do  not  be 
disheartened ;  Onontio  will  send  you  a  sufficient  quantity 
to  rejoice  you.' 

"They  replied  that  they  wished  me  to  write  to  the 
governor-general,  which.  I  promised.  Meanwhile,  to 
show  you  that  this  people  care  only  for  the  present,  and 
never  regard  the  future,  I  ought  to  tell  you  that  on  the 
4th  of  July,  twenty  Hurons  departed  from  here  without 
the  knowledge  of  any  one,  and  have  gone  to  the  Iroquois 
to  make  negotiations  of  peace,  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
passage  to  the  English,  where  they  can  trade  and  get 
brandy. 

u  This  is  the  effect  produced  by  the  bad  counsel  given 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  79 

Indignation  of  Cadillac — Contentment  of  the  Savages — Missionaries. 

to  the  Count;  and,  indeed,  there  is  nothing  more  pro 
voking  than  to  witness  the  manifestation  of  a  wish  to 
take  from  a  people  not  yet  civilized,  the  rights  they 
have  enjoyed  ever  since  they  have  known  the  French. 

"  It  seems  very  strange  that  they  should  pretend  that 
the  savages  would  ruin  themselves  by  drinking.  The 
savage  himself  asks  why  they  do  not  leave  him  in  his 
beggary,  his  liberty,  and  his  idleness  ;  he  was  born  in  it, 
and  he  wishes  to  die  in  it — it  is  a  life  to  which  he  has 
been  accustomed  since  Adam.  Do  they  wish  him  to 
build  palaces,  and  ornament  them  with  beautiful  furni 
ture?  He  would  not  exchange  his  wigwam,  and  the 
mat  on  which  he  camps  like  a  monkey,  for  the  Louvre  ! 

"  An  attempt  to  overthrow  the  present  state  of  affairs 
in  this  country,  would  only  result  in  the  ruin  of  com 
merce  and  the  destruction  of  the  colony. 

"  Perhaps  it  will  be  said  that  the  sale  of  brandy  makes 
the  labors  of  the  missionaries  unfruitful.  It  is  necessary 
to  examine  this  proposition.  If  the  missionaries  labor  only 
for  the  extension  of  commerce,  pursuing  the  course  they 
have  hitherto,  I  agree  to  it ;  but,  if  it  is  the  use  of  brandy 
that  hinders  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  God,  I 
deny  it;  for  it  is  a  fact  which  no  one  can  deny,  that 
there  are  a  great  number  among  the  savages  who  never 
drink  brandy,  yet  who  are  not,  for  that,  better  Christians. 

"  All  the  Sioux,  the  most  numerous  of  all  the  tribes 


80  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Sioux's  hatred  of  Keligion— Death  of  Count  Frontenac. 

who  inhabit  the  region  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Superior, 
do  not  even  like  the  smell  of  brandy — are  they  more 
advanced  in  religion  for  that?  They  do  not  wish  to 
hear  the  subject  mentioned,  and  when  the  missionaries 
address  them,  they  only  laugh  at  the  foolishness  of 
preaching.  Yet  these  priests  boldly  fling  before  the 
eyes  of  the  Europeans,  whole  volumes  filled  with  glow 
ing  descriptions  of  the  conversion  of  souls  by  thousands, 
in  this  country,  causing  the  poor  missionaries  from  Eu 
rope  to  run  to  martyrdom,  as  flies  to  sugar  and  honey. 

"  I  am  an  eye-witness  to  all  that  passes  here,  yet  I  do 
not  believe  I  shall  ever  be  in  humor  to  write  on  this 
point." 

Count  Frontenac,  who  had  devoted  the  best  portion 
of  his  life  to  the  service  of  New  France ;  the  friend  and 
adviser  of  the  struggling  colonists ;  the  guide  and  con 
troller  of  those  rash,  enthusiastic  adventurers,  whose  zeal 
in  prosecuting  distant  explorations  seemed  unquench 
able  ;  the  safe  director  of  the  intricate  workings  of 
colonial  home-policy,  and  the  successful  general,  having 
conducted  his  country  through  a  most  perilous  and  dis 
tressing  war,  lived  only  to  conclude  a  peace  with  his 
savage  neighbors,  and  died,  in  1699,  in  the  seventy- 
eighth  year  of  his  age.  His  death  was  universally  la 
mented. 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  81 


Frontenac's  Valor  in  early  Life— Subjugation  of  the  Iroquois— Bravery  at  Quebec. 

"  At  the  age  of  fifteen,"  says  a  note  in  the  Cass  MSS., 
"  Count  Frontenac  signalized  himself  in  Holland,  where 
he  served  his  apprenticeship  of  arms.  He  was  recalled 
to  France  for  the  service  of  the  king.  He  commanded 
the  regiment  of  Normandie,  and  in  the  several  battles 
which  were  fought  in  Germany  and  Italy,  he  merited, 
by  his  valor  and  his  talents,  to  be  successively  promoted 
as  master  and  marshal  of  the  camp,  and  even  to  com 
mand  a  separate  corps  of  the  army. 

"  When  the  Venetians  sent  to  ask  aid  of  Louis  XI Y., 
this  prince  consulted  Marshal  Turenne  on  the  choice  of 
a  commanding  officer  for  the  troops  of  the  Eepublic, 
and  M.  de  Frontenac  was  the  one  designated  by  the 
great  captain. 

"In  Canada,  he  justified  his  reappointment  to  its 
government,  by  subduing  the  Iroquois,  and  by  re 
pulsing  the  English.  When  the  English  envoys  de 
manded  of  him  the  surrender  of  Quebec,  giving  him  a 
certain  time  in  which  to  decide,  placing  his  watch  in 
his  hand  to  mark  the  time,  his  haughty  answer  was, 
'  My  reply  is  from  the  mouth  of  my  cannon ;'  notwith 
standing  Quebec  was  almost  without  ammunition  and 
food. 

"M.  de  Frontenac  had  his  arm  broken  at  Orbitelle. 
His  grandfather  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of 
the  French  nobility,  and  all  his  connections  and  family 


82  EARLY   HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

CalHeres  succeeds  Frontenac — His  sudden  Death — Appointment  of  M.  Vaudreuil. 

alliances  were  sufficient  recommendations  for  any  ordi 
nary  man ;  but  the  Count  added  to  all  these  illustrious 
names  the  glory  of  his  own  services." 

M.  de  Callieres  succeeded  Count  Frontenac  in  the 
government  of  Canada.  He  occupied  the  post  of  gov 
ernor-general  until  early  in  the  summer  of  1703,  when 
he  died  suddenly.  The  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil  was  ap 
pointed  his  successor. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  peace  of  Ryswick — France  retains  her  possessions  in  America — 
Commercial  rivalry  between  the  French  and  English — Cadillac's  man 
agement  of  the  Indians — Their  attachment  to  the  French — Upper 
Nations  send  envoys  to  Montreal  in  1700 — "Written  treaty  made  and 
signed  by  the  governor-general  and  envoys — Importance  of  a  fort  on 
the  Detroit — M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  goes  to  France — Recital  of  his  plans 
to  Count  Pontchartrain — Project  approved  by  the  king — Cadillac  ap 
pointed  commandant — Returns  to  Canada — Leaves  La  Chine  for  De 
troit — Establishes  Fort  Pontchartrain  in  1701 — Company  of  the  colony 
organized. 

THE  peace  of  Ryswick,  ratified  Sept.  llth,  1697,  al 
lowed  France  to  retain  all  the  places  of  which  she  had 
possession  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  but  it  did  not 
quiet  the  restless  spirit  of  the  English  colonists.  They 
were  not  willing  to  pursue  the  same  conciliatory  course 
which  had  given  the  French  an  almost  unbounded  in 
fluence  over  the  savages,  yet  were  exceedingly  jealous 
of  that  power  which  thus  retained  the  profits  of  the 
fur-trade.  This  commercial  rivalry,  and  strife  for  dom 
ination,  kept  the  French  and  English  colonies,  even 
during  the  brief  peace,  in  a  state  of  inimical  excitement. 

By  the  prudent  management  of  M.  de  la  Motte 
Cadillac,  who  was  commandant  at  Michilimackinac  from 
1695  to  1699,  permanent  treaties  of  peace  had  been 


84  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Indian  Envoys  sent  to  Montreal— "Written  Treaty— Cadillac  proceeds  to  Versailles. 

made  with  the  tribes  in  that  distant  region,  and  they 
had  become  strongly  attached  to  the  French.  In  July, 
1700,  four  of  these  "  upper  nations"  sent  envoys  to  Mon 
treal  "  to  weep  for  the  French  who  had  died  in  the  war." 
The  governor-general  took  advantage  of  this  visit,  and 
of  the  conciliatory  spirit  recently  manifested  by  the 
Iroquois,  to  make  a  written  treaty  with  the  Five 
Nations,  and  these  allies  from  the  Northwest.  All 
the  preliminaries  were  amicably  settled,  and  the  treaty 
was  signed  by  each  nation,  with  its  own  to-tem,  or 
symbols. 

The  sad  experiences  of  the  recent  war  with  England 
and  the  Iroquois,  and  the  evident  disaffection  which  still 
existed,  though  restrained  by  the  treaties  from  absolute 
outbreak,  rendered  more  than  ever  apparent  to  the 
French,  the  importance  of  a  fort  on  the  Detroit,  which 
should  command  this  channel  of  communication  with 
the  great  lakes,  thus  preventing  the  English  from  having 
access  to  the  Far  Indians.  The  attempt  of  M.  du  Lhut 
had  failed,  and  M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac,  fearing  that  a 
written  petition  would  meet  with  a  repulse,  proceeded 
in  person  to  Versailles,  and  presented  the  subject  to  the 
consideration  of  Count  Pontchartrain,  the  colonial  min 
ister.  The  count  received  the  self-appointed  envoy  with 
great  kindness,  and  listened  attentively  to  the  plan  of 
his  proposed  enterprise.  The  following  conversation 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  85 

Interview  between  Cadillac  and  Count  Pontcliartram. 

then  ensued,  which  Cadillac  afterward  committed  to 
writing. 

Count.  "  What  reasons  have  you  for  wishing  to  estab 
lish  a  fort  on  the  Detroit  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  have  many ;  the  first,  and  perhaps  most 
important  object,  would  be  to  make  it  a  permanent  post, 
not  subject  to  frequent  changes  as  are  many  of  the 
others.  To  effect  this,  it  is  only  necessary  to  have  a  good 
number  of  the  French,  soldiers  and  traders,  and  to  draw 
around  it  the  tribes  of  friendly  Indians,  in  order  effec 
tually  to  conquer  the  Iroquois,  who,  from  all  time,  have 
ruined  the  colonies,  and  prevented  the  advancement  of 
civilization. 

Count.  "  That  would  be  well,  if  what  you  propose 
could  be  executed  without  great  difficulty ;  but  it  seems 
to  me  that,  instead  of  fortifying  the  colony  by  this  estab 
lishment,  you  will  only  weaken  it. 

La  Motte.  "  That  would  be  true,  if  the  Iroquois  were 
the  friends  of  the  French  inhabitants,  but  they  are  the 
enemies.  The  forces  of  the  French  are  too  much  scat 
tered  ;  they  live  too  far  apart.  It  is  absolutely  neces 
sary  to  draw  them  together,  because  when  it  is  desirable 
to  attack  the  Iroquois  in  their  villages,  the  French  must 
make  great  movements,  and  march  in  large  numbers, 
which  causes  the  king  very  heavy  expenses.  Often,  the 
result  of  such  a  march  consists  in  killing  four  or  five 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Advantages  of  securing  the  passage  to  the  upper  Lakes— Iroquois. 

unhappy  wretches,  because  great  movements  cannot  be 
made  without  noise,  and  without  the  savages  knowing 
it.  They  retire  into  the  woods  when  their  forces  are 
inferior,  and  by  this  means  render  useless  the  expense 
and  preparation  of  the  French. 

Count.  "  I  see  that  you  are  right,  since  the  great  en 
terprises  which  have  been  undertaken  in  Canada,  and 
even  the  general  movements  of  the  whole  colony  have 
been  unsuccessful,  having  done  no  other  harm  to  the  Iro 
quois  than  merely  pillaging  their  grain,  which  they  had 
left  to  pursue  the  chase  along  the  Detroit;  and  their 
game  has  furnished  them  subsistence  till  the  following 
harvest.  I  see  that  you  will  tell  me,  if  Detroit  were  for 
tified  with  a  good  number  of  French  and  savages,  they 
would  deprive  the  Iroquois  of  the  resources  of  the  chase ; 
and  by  the  continual  incursions  they  would  make  upon 
them,  on  account  of  the  proximity  of  the  post,  the  Iro 
quois  would  be  reduced  to  the  last  extremity,  and  often 
perish  with  hunger. 

La  Motte.  "  Sir,  your  penetration  has  anticipated  my 
speech ;  I  am  persuaded  that  when  you  have  heard  the 
other  reasons  for  this  establishment,  you  will  be  still 
more  deeply  convinced  of  the  necessity  for  it.  It  is  in 
contestable  that  all  the  waters  of  the  great  lakes  pass 
through  this  strait,  and  this  is  the  only  practicable  path 
by  which  the  English  can  carry  on  their  trade  with  the 


EARLY  HISTOEY  OF  MICHIGAN".  87 

Low  price  of  English  goods — Improvidence  of  the  Savages. 

savage  nations,  which  have  correspondence  with  the 
French.  The  English  use  every  possible  means  to  ob 
tain  trade,  but,  if  that  post  were  fortified  in  form,  the 
English  would  entirely  abandon  the  hope  of  depriving 
us  of  its  advantages. 

Count.  "  I  understand  what  you  intend ;  your  design 
is  good.  You  would  deprive  the  enemies  of  the  state,  of 
the  means  of  prosecuting  the  fur-trade  in  that  country  ; 
but  how  will  you  prevent  the  savages  from  going  to 
them,  if  they  wish,  and  if  they  are  drawn  by  the  advan 
tageous  price  of  goods  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  confess  that  is  a  great  attraction  for  them ; 
but  experience  shows  us  that  although  the  savages  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Quebec,  Three  Rivers,  and  Montreal, 
are  perfectly  well  informed  that  their  furs  sell  better 
with  the  English,  and  that  they  can  obtain  goods  at  a 
lower  price,  yet  they  make  all  their  trade  with  us. 
There  are  many  reasons  for  this.  One  is,  that  each  sav 
age,  one  with  another,  kills,  per  year,  only  fifty  or  sixty 
beavers,  and  as  he  is  neighbor  to  the  Frenchman,  fre 
quently  borrows  of  him,  paying  in  proportion  to  his 
returns  by  the  chase.  "With  the  little  that  remains  to 
him,  he  is  compelled  to  make  purchases  for  his  family. 
Thus  he  finds  himself  unable  to  go  to  the  English,  be 
cause  his  remaining  goods  are  not  worth  the  trouble  of 
carrying  so  far,  not  being  sufficient  to  pay  him  for  the 


88  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

French  cunning — Extent  of  the  Hunting-grounds — Variety  of  Furs. 

expense  of  his  journey.  Another  reason  is,  that  in  fre 
quenting  the  French  he  receives  many  caresses;  they 
are  too  cunning  to  allow  his  furs  to  escape,  especially 
when  they  succeed  in  making  him  eat  and  drink  with 
them. 

"  The  will  to  go  to  the  English  still  exists  among  the 
savages,  but  they  are  skillfully  reduced  to  the  impossi 
bility  of  its  execution.  If  Detroit  is  not  established,  sir, 
we  shall  soon  see  all  the  savages  of  the  country  going  to 
the  English,  or  inviting  them  to  come  and  establish 
themselves  in  the  Indian  country. 

Count.  "  Have  you  not  still  other  reasons  ? 

La  Motte.  "  One  cannot  deny  that  our  savages  have 
hitherto  hunted  north  of  Lake  St.  Glair,  but  by  this  es 
tablishment,  they  would  pursue  the  chase  as  far  as  two 
hundred  leagues  south  of  Lake  Erie,  toward  the  sea. 
Consequently,  those  furs  that  make  the  greater  part 
of  the  trade  of  the  English  by  means  of  their  savages, 
would  be  conveyed  by  ours  into  the  French  colony,  and 
make  a  very  considerable  increase  in  its  commerce. 

Count.  "  What  furs  are  there  in  that  country  ? 

La  Motte.  "  The  skins  of  the  stag,  deer,  elk,  roebuck, 
black  bear,  and  buffalo,  with  wolf,  otter,  wildcat,  beaver, 
and  other  small  furs. 

Count.  "  Are  those  larger  skins  worth  money,  and  do 
the  traders  find  sale  for  them  ?  Could  we  not  find  means 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  89 

Beaver  prohibited  Merchandise  in  France — Value  of  other  Furs. 

to  occupy  the  savages  in  the  pursuit  of  these  animals, 
and  cause  them  to  abandon  that  of  the  beaver,  which 
is  now  prohibited  merchandise  ?  The  vast  accumulation 
of  beaver  fur  is  becoming  burdensome  to  France. 

La  Mbtte.  u  Those  skins  are  actually  in  favor ;  the 
skins  of  the  deer  and  the  stag  are  worth  sixteen  francs 
a-piece ;  those  of  the  elk,  twenty  francs ;  the  black  bear, 
ten  francs ;  the  roebuck,  five  francs,  and  the  rest  in  pro 
portion  ;  therefore  it  is  certain  that  we  could  easily  oc 
cupy  the  savages  in  this  pursuit,  provided  we  furnish 
them  with  goods  to  the  value  of  their  peltry.  This 
would  be  an  unfailing  means  of  making  sale  for  the 
beaver  in  the  kingdom,  since,  instead  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty  thousand  now  received  every  year  at  the  store 
house  in  Quebec,  there  would  be  but  about  seventy 
thousand,  which  would  be  a  large  yearly  diminution.  I 
do  not  include  the  inferior  beaver  of  Canada. 

Count.  "  You  have  given  many  excellent  reasons,  the 
means  of  humbling  the  Iroquois,  and  causing  them  to 
respect  the  French ;  the  exclusion  of  the  English  com 
merce  and  consequent  French  domination,  and  their  in 
creased  profit  by  trading  for  different  furs.  It  is  abso 
lutely  necessary  to  establish  this  post. 

"  If  the  king  approves  this  project,  I  will  give  you 
two  hundred  chosen  men,  of  different  trades,  with  six 
companies  of  soldiers,  in  order  that  the  place  may  be  in 


90  EAELY  HISTOEY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Iroquois— Enmity  of  the  Jesuits— Cadillac  receives  orders  to  found  Detroit. 

a  condition  to  hold  the  Iroquois  in  subjection  in  time 
of  peace,  and  to  destroy  them  if  they  wish  for  war; 
and  particularly  that  our  allies  may  be  secure  un 
der  this  protection.  Therefore,  prepare  yourself  to  re 
turn  to  Canada,  and  commence  the  establishment  of 
Detroit. 

La  Motte.  "  I  will  go,  since  you  command  me,  but  I 
shall  find  many  difficulties  to  overcome  in  the  accom 
plishment  of  this  enterprise,  as  the  Jesuits  of  that  coun 
try  are,  personally,  my  enemies. 

Count.  "  Only  go,  do  not  place  yourself  in  difficulty ; 
vigorously  prosecute  this  affair,  and  if  you  find  obstacles 
which  prevent  your  success,  you  have  only  to  return  and 
render  me  an  account  of  them." 

After  some  time,  M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac  was  again 
summoned  into  the  presence  of  Count  Pontchartrain, 
who  remarked : 

"  The  king  has  examined  your  project,  and  has  given 
me  orders  to  send  you  back,  without  delay,  to  take 
prompt  possession  of  Detroit,  wishing  you  to  command 
there  until  farther  orders.  You  will,  therefore,  depart 
immediately  for  Eochefort,  whence  you  will  embark. 

"  Pardon  me,  sir,"  replied  La  Motte,  "  but  I  beg  you 
will  take  into  consideration  the  expense  of  the  two  pain 
ful  voyages  I  have  already  made,  which  have  exhausted 
my  own  purse  and  the  liberality  of  my  friends ;  also,  the 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  91 

Commission  from  the  King— Beturns  to  Quebec— Arrives  at  Detroit 

expenditures  I  shall  be  obliged  to  make  in  perfecting 
this  establishment." 

"  I  will  take  care  of  you ;  only  pursue  such  a  course 
as  will  insure  you  success,"  said  the  count. 

"  Provided  I  am  supported  by  the  honor  of  your 
protection,  I  am  sure  of  perfecting  this  work,"  was  La 
Motte's  enthusiastic  rejoinder. 

Count  Pontchartrain  then  presented  him  with  a  com 
mission  as  commandant,  and  a  grant  from  his  majesty, 
Louis  XIV.,  of  a  tract  of  land,  fifteen  acres  square, 
"wherever  on  the  Detroit  the  new  fort  should  be  es 
tablished." 

M.  Cadillac  arrived  at  Quebec  on  the  8th  of  March, 
1701 ;  thence  he  proceeded  to  Montreal,  where  he  was 
occupied  until  June  in  making  the  necessary  prepara 
tions  for  his  expedition.  He  left  La  Chine  on  the  5th 
of  June,  with  fifty  soldiers,  and  fifty  Canadian  traders 
and  artisans.  His  officers  were  M.  de  Tonti  as  captain, 
and  Messrs.  Dugue  and  Chacornacle  as  lieutenants.  A 
Recollet  priest  accompanied  the  troops  as  chaplain,  and 
a  Jesuit  went  as  missionary  to  the  Indians.  In  com 
pliance  with  the  orders  of  the  governor-general,  he  took 
the  old  route  by  the  Ottawa  river,  and  arrived  at  Detroit 
on  the  24th  of  July,  1701. 

The  fortification  erected  by  M.  de  Cadillac  was  noth 
ing  more  than  a  strong  stockade  of  wooden  pickets. 


92  EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN". 

First  Fort— Detroit  in  1701— Object  of  the  Establishment 

The  space  inclosed  was  nearly  square,  with  wooden  bas 
tions  at  each  angle,  only  two  of  which  seem  to  have  been 
serviceable,  according  to  M.  d'Aigrement,  who  says — 
"  there  are  two  bastions,  so  small  and  of  such  irregular 
figure  as  to  be  of  little  use."*  Within  this  inclosure, 
which  was  dignified  with  the  name  of  Fort  Pontchar- 
train,  M.  de  la  Motte  caused  a  few  log  huts  to  be  erected, 
the  roofs  of  which  were  thatched  with  grass.  Such  was 
Detroit  in  1701. 

As  the  principal  object  in  the  establishment  of  this 
post,  as  well  as  Forts  Frontenac,  Michilimackinac,  and 
Saut  Ste.  Marie,  was  to  secure  to  France  the  immense 
fur-trade  of  the  great  Northwest,  of  necessity  one  of  the 
first  acts  of  the  colonial  executive  at  Quebec  must  have 
been  to  make  such  arrangements  as  would  best  promote 
the  interests  of  the  government,  and  at  the  same  time 
most  effectually  guard  against  oppression  on  the  one 
part,  and  disaffection  on  the  other,  among  the  officers, 
subordinates,  and  traders,  occupying  points  so  remote 
from  the  capital. 

The  most  natural,  and  probably  the  most  effectual 
method  of  accomplishing  these  objects,  would  be  the 


0  The  first  fort  erected  at  Detroit  inclosed  the  portion  of  ground  ex 
tending  from  where  the  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  Campau  now  stands,  on 
Jefferson  Avenue,  to  a  few  feet  below  Shelby-street,  and  thence  to  Wood- 
bridge-street,  which  was  then  very  near  the  margin  of  the  river. 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  93 

Organization  of  the  Company  of  the  Colony  of  Canada. 

organization  of  the  traders,  occupying  any  such  post,  into 
a  company  with  certain  privileges  and  restrictions.  In. 
accordance  with  this  universal  business  principle,  a  com 
pany  was  formed  by  the  merchants  interested  in  the 
trade  at  Fort  Frontenac  and  Fort  Pontchartrain,  known 
as  the  "  Company  of  the  Colony  of  Canada,"  and  the 
following  contract  was  duly  confirmed  at  Quebec,  Oc 
tober  31st,  1701 : 

"COMPANY  OF  THE  COLONY  OF  CANADA. 

"Contract  made  with  the  Company  of  the  Colony  of  Canada  concern 
ing  Fort  Frontenac  and  Detroit,  to  enable  said  Company  to  traffic 
for  beaver  and  other  peltries,  in  cdnformity  to  the  agreement  made 
in  a  convention  held  at  Quebec,  October  31st,  1701. 

"  Before  the  royal  notaries,  at  Quebec,  in  New 
France,  appeared  M.  le  Chevalier  Callieres,  lieutenant- 
governor  for  the  king  in  this  country  of  New  France, 
and  Monsieur  Champigny,  administrator  of  justice,  po 
lice,  and  revenue  of  the  said  country,  who  testify  that, 
in  consequence  of  orders  which  they  have  this  year  re 
ceived  from  his  majesty,  to  intrust  to  the  Company  of 
the  Colony  of  this  said  country  the  posts  of  Detroit  and 
Fort  Frontenac,  there  was  held  at  the  Chateau  St.  Louis, 
in  this  city,  on  the  eighth  of  the  present  month,  a 
general  assembly  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  country 
who  have  a  deliberative  voice  in  the  said  company,  that 
all  the  arrangements  might  be  made  in  their  presence, 


94:  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Contract  of  the  Colony— Seven  Directors-general. 

if  the  company  should  decide  to  accept  the  said  posts  of 
Detroit  and  Fort  Frontenac. 

"  There  were  present  at  this  assembly  the  seven  direc 
tors-general  of  the  said  company,  the  governors  of  Mon 
treal  and  Three  Rivers,  many  civil  and  military  officers, 
and  the  merchants  and  other  inhabitants  interested  in 
the  company. 

"  After  mature  deliberation,  the  result  was  declared  to 
be  the  acceptance  of  these  posts  by  the  company,  for  the 
purposes  of  trade  in  beaver  and  other  peltries,  to  the 
entire  exclusion  of  all  private  individuals,  who  are  now, 
or  may  hereafter  become,  residents  of  that  country ;  and 
that  the  act  of  said  acceptance  shall  be  passed  between 
the  governor-general  and  intendant,  and  the  directors- 
general  of  the  said  company. 

"  In  consequence  of  said  decision,  the  following  arti 
cles  of  agreement  have  been  made  between  the  governor- 
general  and  intendant  on  the  one  part,  and  Messrs. 
d'Auteuil,  procureur-general  of  the  king  in  the  sovereign 
council  of  this  country,  Lotbinieres,  lieutenant-general 
of  this  city  of  Quebec,  Irazeur,  Gobin,  Macart,  and 
Pierre,  gentlemen,  merchants  of  this  city  of  Quebec,  all 
directors-general  of  the  said  company,  on  the  other  part. 

"  Be  it  known,  that  the  governor-general  and  intend 
ant,  in  consequence  of  the  express  orders  which  they 
have  this  year  received  from  the  king,  do?  by  these  pres- 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  95 

Exclusive  traffic  in  Furs  ceded  to  the  Company— Eadisson  and  Arnault  overseers. 

ents  and  acceptances,  in  the  name  of  His  Majesty,  cede 
and  convey  to  the  directors  of  the  said  Company  of  the 
Colony  the  said  posts  of  Detroit  and  Fort  Frontenac, 
giving  into  the  possession  of  the  said  Company  of  the 
Colony,  from  this  day  forth,  the  said  posts  in  the  state  in 
which  they  now  are,  for  their  use,  to  traffic  in  furs,  to  the 
exclusion  of  all  other  inhabitants  of  said  country,  so  long 
as  it  shall  please  His  Majesty. 

"  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  company  to  complete 
the  construction  of  the  fort  at  Detroit,  and  the  buildings 
properly  belonging  thereto;  and  the  company  shall  in 
future  keep  said  fort  and  buildings  in  good  repair,  that 
they  may  be  maintained  and  rendered  in  the  same  state 
in  which  they  are  now,  and  better,  if  possible,  whenever 
His  Majesty  shall  judge  proper  to  receive  them,  if  in 
the  course  of  time  he  so  order. 

"The  Company  of  the  Colony  is  also  to  take  charge  of 
the  goods  which  have  been  sent  to  the  said  place,  obey 
ing  the  conditions  that  have  been  agreed  upon — Messrs. 
Radisson  and  Arnault  to  be  overseers  of  the  storehouse 
of  the  said  goods  which  the  intendant  has  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  directors  of  the  company.  They  are  also 
to  have  charge  of  the  other  advances  made  by  the  king 
for  this  establishment,  and  to  make  payment  for  the  said 
goods,  and  advances  to  the  intendant  from  the  first  bills 
which  shall  be  returned  from  Detroit ;  and  in  case  said 


EAKLY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Bills  of  Exchange — King's  gift  to  poor  Settlers— Garrison  supported  by  the  King. 


bills  should  not  be  sufficient,  on  the  first  of  October, 
1702,  the  said  overseers  shall  give  bills  of  exchange  for 
the  remainder,  which  shall  be  drawn  upon  the  directors 
and  commissioners  of  said  company  in  Paris,  payable  to 
the  securities  and  overseers  of  the  storehouses,  for  the 
purpose  of  liquidating  the  claims  against  the  said  com 
pany,  conformably  to  the  agreement  made  with  the  said 
lord-lieutenant. 

"  The  intendant  shall  deduct  from  the  amount  due,  six 
thousand  livres,  French  money,  being  the  gift  ordered 
by  His  Majesty  for  the  support  of  honest  families  in  this 
country  who  may  need  assistance. 

"  The  payment  of  the  said  sum  of  six  thousand  livres 
shall  be  made  by  the  said  company  every  year,  on  the 
said  first  of  October,  so  long  as  it  shall  enjoy  the  com 
merce  of  the  said  post  of  Detroit. 

"  It  is  also  agreed  that  the  king  shall  support,  at  his 
expense,  the  garrison  which  the  governor  shall  order  for 
the  protection  of  the  said  fort  of  Detroit,  and  that  the 
commandant  and  one  other  officer  only,  shall  be  main 
tained  by  the  company. 

"The  said  commandant  and  soldiers  shall  not  make 
any  trade  for  furs  with  the  savages  nor  French,  directly 
nor  indirectly,  under  any  pretext  whatever,  under  pain 
of  confiscation  of  the  said  furs,  and  other  punishment 
prescribed  by  the  king. 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  97 

Transportation  of  Goods  by  the  Company — Fort  Frontenac — Inventory  of  Goods. 

"Moreover,  the  said  company  binds  itself  to  cause 
to  be  conveyed  from  Montreal  to  Detroit,  at  its  own 
expense,  the  provisions  and  other  articles  which  His 
Majesty  shall  furnish  to  the  said  garrison,  with  the  help 
of  fifteen  livres  per  hundred  weight,  which  the  intendant 
shall  cause  to  be  paid  from  the  treasury  of  His  Majesty 
to  the  company. 

"  In  regard  to  Fort  Frontenac,  it  will  remain  as  it  now 
is,  fully  and  entirely  at  the  disposal  of  His  Majesty,  un 
less  the  company  can  advance  some  better  claim  than 
that  of  placing  deputies  there  to  make  commerce  in  furs 
for  their  profit,  to  the  exclusion  of  all  others. 

"  Until  His  Majesty's  orders  shall  be  received,  the 
deputies  shall  be  lodged,  and  their  goods  stored,  in  the 
storehouses  of  the  fort,  as  the  magazine  guard  and  the 
goods  of  the  king  have  been  heretofore. 

There  shall  be  made  an  inventory  of  all  the  effects 
which  shall  be  found  at  the  said  fort,  for  the  commerce 
of  the  said  place,  after  the  return  of  the  last  convoy  for 
this  year,  which  effects  shall  remain  for  the  company, 
who  shall  be  bound  to  pay  for  them  at  the  price  ex 
pressed  in  the  invoice  and  statement  which  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  intendant.  The  said  amount  to  be  paid 
during  the  year  1702,  from  the  returns  of  the  commerce ; 
and  in  case  that  the  said  returns  shall  not  be  sufficient, 

the  balance  shall  be  paid  in  bills  of  exchange,  which  shall 

7 


98  EARLY   HISTOEY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Fort  Frontenac— Exclusive  Fur-traile  secured  to  the  Company— Provisions  of  Contract. 


be  drawn  upon  the  said  commissioners  of  the  said  com 
pany,  and  its  director  in  Paris. 

•  "The  said  company  shall  be  required  to  pay  the  sum 
of  seven  livres  and  ten  sous,  French  money,  per  hundred 
weight,  for  the  transportation  of  effects  from  Montreal 
to  the  said  fort;  and  the  said  company  enjoying,  as 
hereinbefore  stated,  the  privilege  of  trading  for  furs  at 
the  said  place  of  Fort  Frontenac,  exclusive  of  all  others, 
will  be  required  to  transport  to  the  said  Fort  Frontenac 
the  articles  necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  the  garrison 
of  the  said  place,  conformably  to  the  orders  of  the  king, 
contained  in  his  dispatches  of  the  present  year.  The 
commandant,  officers,  and  soldiers  which  the  governor- 
general  shall  hold  there  in  garrison,  shall  make  no  trade, 
directly  or  indirectly,  on  pain  of  confiscation  of  their 
furs,  and  other  punishments  prescribed  by  the  laws  of 
the  king,  until  the  agreement  be  revoked. 

"  Executed  and  conveyed  at  Quebec,  Chateau  St. 
Louis,  in  the  forenoon  of  the  thirty-first  day  of  October, 
1701,  the  said  gentlemen  interested  and  the  notaries 
having  signed  at  the  time,  the  agreements  remaining  in 
the  office  of  M.  de  Chamblon,  one  of  the  notaries." 


CHAPTER  V. 

Difficulty  between  the  Jesuits  and  Franciscans — Character  of  M.  Ca 
dillac — Letter  to  Count  Pontchartrain — Account  of  religious  affairs — 
Eemoval  of  the  savages  to  Detroit — Hurons — Miamis — Messages  from 
the  Outawa-Sinagos  and  Kiskakons — Necessity  of  presents  to  the  sava 
ges — Trade  in  buffalo-skins — Mulberry-trees  on  Grand  river — Fine 
harvest  at  Detroit — Indian  chiefs  wish  to  visit  France — Plan  to  form 
a  company  of  Indian  soldiers — Establishment  of  a  seminary  for  the 
savages — Settlement  by  the  Canadians — Cadillac  complains  of  the 
large  number  of  "  permits" — Massacre  of  the  Miamis  by  the  Sioux — 
Other  Indian  difficulties  arising  from  the  "permits." 

THE  directors  of  the  "  Company  of  the  Colony"  were 
Jesuits,  and  it  was  by  their  solicitation,  aided  by  the 
united  petition  of  the  Jesuit  missionaries  already  estab 
lished  in  different  portions  of  the  Northwest,  that  they 
succeeded  in  obtaining  from  the  governor-general,  the 
appointment  of  Father  Vaillant  to  accompany  M.  de  la 
Motte  Cadillac,  and  establish  himself  as  missionary  at 
Detroit. 

M.  Cadillac  was  a  zealous  Catholic,  as  his  correspond 
ence  abundantly  testifies  ;  but  he  was  a  Franciscan,  and 
a  cordial  hater  of  the  Jesuits.  This  fact  was  undoubt 
edly  well  known,  as  he  did  not  hesitate  to  speak  his  sen 
timents  in  his  official  letters,  and  in  his  private  corre 
spondence;  and  a  disposition  to  thwart  his  plans  and 


100  EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Character  of  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac— His  voluminous  MSS. 

purposes  was  soon  manifested  by  that  powerful  and  com 
pletely  organized  body.  Many  of  the  difficulties  which 
subsequently  arose  in  the  colony,  are  clearly  traceable 
to  these  personal  dislikes. 

M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac  was  a  bold,  ambitious,  enthu 
siastic  man;  somewhat  visionary  in  his  plans,  prompt 
in  action,  fearless  in  speech,  and  of  that  decided  cast 
of  mind  that  always  gives  its  possessor  many  enemies. 
Yet  he  was  kind-hearted ;  and,  if  the  decision  of  a  supe 
rior  court  is  any  evidence,  more  frequently  right  than 
wrong  in  the  course  he  pursued  in  the  management  of 
the  affairs  of  the  colony. 

A  man's  writings  usually  contain  the  impress  of  his 
mind,  at  least  in  a  sufficient  degree  to  enable  one  to 
judge  quite  correctly  of  his  habits  of  thought,  and  thence 
to  infer,  with  some  certainty,  his  general  course  of  con 
duct.  The  voluminous  MSS.  of  M.  la  Motte  are  deeply 
interesting.  They  give  the  reader  a  more  correct  idea 
of  the  man  as  he  was,  than  any  mere  individual  opinion 
could  do,  while  a  life-like  picture  of  those  early  scenes  is 
here  preserved,  which  would  otherwise  have  been  lost 
in  oblivion. 

The  following  letter,  addressed  to  Count  Pontchar- 
train,  shows  the  state  of  the  colony  two  years  after  its 
settlement,  and  details  the  plans  of  the  zealous  com 
mandant  for  its  future  welfare  : 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  101 

Letter  to  Count  Pontchartrain — Jesuits— Superior  of  Quebec. 

"FORT  PONTCHARTRAIN,  Aug.  31,  1703. 

"  MONSEIGNEUE  : — I  had  the  honor  to  write  you,  last 
year,  a  full  account  of  all  the  affairs  of  this  post ;  and  I 
write  you  again,  not  knowing  what  arrangements  you 
may  have  made  concerning  it. 

"Doubtless  you  have  noticed  the  regulations  which 
were  made  by  M.  le  Chevalier  de  Callieres,  between 
Rev.  Father  Bouvert  and  myself,  while  I  was  at  Quebec, 
and  have  supposed  that  a^lRs  stipulations  were  fulfilled 
on  both  sides.  /  0  JT*}  3 

"These  regulations  piwe,  with  evidence,  the  oppo- 

>k    Si    %% 

sition  which  the  Jesuitsv-^ft -vlMs..  country  .  have  raised 
against  the  settlement  of  the  savages. at  this  post;  and  I 
did  hope  that  they  would  keep  the  promises  which  they 
made  by  public  compact. 

"You  had  the  kindness  to  write  me  that  the  king 
wishes  the  savages  to  be  served  by  the  Father  Jesuits ; 
and  that  the  Superior  of  Quebec  would  give  me  those 
who  would  enter  into  my  plans  better  than  did  Father 
Vaillant. 

"  One  would  suppose  that  your  orders  would  have 
sufficed  to  engage  the  services  of  the  Superior  in  pro 
viding  for  this  mission  immediately;  especially  when 
you  had  so  kindly  favored  him  by  permitting  Father 
Vaillant  to  remain  in  this  country  after  opposing,  as  he 
did,  the  intentions  of  His  Majesty. 


102  EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Account  of  Religious  affairs — Salary  of  Missionaries. 

"  The  regulations  of  M.  Callieres  seem  also  to  require 
him  to  provide  for  the  missions,  as  it  is  clearly  ex 
pressed  there.  Yet  you  will  see  that  till  now,  the 
Jesuits  have  done  nothing  towards  executing  the  in 
tentions  of  His  Majesty,  though  you  have  plainly  ex 
pressed  them  to  M.  de  Callieres  and  the  Superior  of 
Quebec,  and  have  also  been  pleased  to  inform  me  of 
them. 

"  I  do  not  know  whether  you  have  been  informed  that, 
in  consequence  of  these  regulations,  the  Company  of  the 
Colony  have  agreed  to  pay  to  the  missionaries  on  the 
Detroit,  the  yearly  sum  of  eight  hundred  francs  each, 
and  furnish  them  with  necessary  food  and  clothing,  to  be 
transported  to  their  stations  at  the  expense  of  the  com 
pany  ;  lodging  them  in  the  villages  of  the  savages  until 
more  commodious  houses  can  be  erected  for  them. 

"  I  am  satisfied,  on  my  part,  in  regard  to  the  meas 
ures  they  have  taken ;  and  the  company  seems  to  be 
satisfied  on  its  own  part,  having  this  spring,  in  con 
formity  to  the  regulations,  sent  an  express  canoe  for 
Father  Marest,  Superior  of  Michilimackinac.  lie  pre 
tended  to  have  very  important  reasons  for  not  coming 
here ;  and  the  company  incurred  the  expense  of  the 
voyage  to  no  purpose,  as  they  had  before  done  for 
Father  Yaillant. 

"  You  wished  me  to  be  a  friend  of  the  Jesuits,  and  to 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  103 

Cadillac's  opinion  of  the  Jesuits — Immigration  of  the  Sauteurs  and  Mississagu6s. 

have  no  trouble  with  them.  After  much  reflection,  I 
have  found  only  three  ways  in  which  this  can  be  accom 
plished  :  the  first  is,  to  let  them  do  as  they  please ;  the 
second,  to  do  whatever  they  desire ;  and  the  third,  to 
say  nothing  of  what  they  do. 

"  If  I  let  the  Jesuits  do  what  they  please,  the  savages 
will  not  establish  themselves  at  Detroit ;  nor  would  any 
of  them  ever  have  settled  here.  If  I  do  what  they  would 
desire,  it  will  be  necessary  to  have  this  post  abandoned ; 
and  if  I  say  nothing  of  what  they  do,  it  will  only  be 
necessary  for  me  to  pursue  my  present  course.  Notwith 
standing  this  last  essential  point,  I  cannot  yet  engage 
them  to  be  my  friends. 

"  It  is  for  you,  my  lord,  to  say  whether  you  wish  me 
to  continue  to  induce  the  savages  to  establish  themselves 
here,  that  this  post  may  be  preserved  and  sustained  with 
eclat.  If  these  are  your  sentiments,  as  I  believe  they 
are,  perhaps  I  am  the  proper  person  to  carry  your  plans 
into  execution.  But,  I  dare  say  to  you,  that  the  opinions 
of  the  Jesuits  in  this  country  are  totally  opposed  to 
yours,  at  least  on  this  point. 

"All  these  things  have  not  prevented  the  Sauteurs 
and  Mississagues  from  coming  here  again  this  year,  to 
build  a  village  on  this  river.  By  my  advice,  these  two 
nations  have  united  into  one.  I  judged  this  proper, 
thinking  their  union  would  be  better  for  themselves,  and 


104:  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Hurons  of  Michilimackinac— Father  Carheil. 

for  us,  if  any  rupture  should  occur  between  these  colo 
nies  and  their  enemies. 

"  Thirty  Hurons  of  Michilimackinac  arrived  here  on 
the  28th  of  June,  to  unite  themselves  with  those  already 
established  here.  There  remain  only  about  twenty-five 
at  Michilimackinac.  Father  Carheil,  who  is  missionary 
there,  remains  always  firm.  I  hope,  this  fall,  to  pluck 
out  the  last  feather  of  his  wing,  and  I  am  persuaded  that 
this  obstinate  old  priest  will  die  in  his  parish,  without 
having  a  single  parishioner  to  bury  him. 

"  Several  small  bands  of  the  Miamis  have  established 
themselves  here,  and  also  a  few  of  the  Nepisserinieux ; 
some  have  joined  the  Hurons,  and  others  the  Outawas, 
and  the  Oppenagos,  or  Loups. 

"  The  remainder  of  the  Outawa-Sinagos,  who  are  still 
at  Michilimackinac,  have  sent  me  a  necklace,  in  secret, 
to  tell  me  they  will  come  to  join  their  brothers  at  De 
troit,  after  they  have  gathered  in  their  harvest.  Six 
wigwams  of  Kiskakons  have  sent  me  the  same  mes 
sage.  I  have  replied,  by  necklaces,  that  I  was  going 
to  mark  out  the  land  where  they  could  make  their 
fields. 

"  This  proceeding  on  the  part  of  the  savages,  shows 
how  much  the  Jesuits  intimidate  them,  by  causing  the 
apprehension  to  creep  into  their  minds  that  some  bad 
trick  will  be  played  upon  them  if  they  come  here. 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  105 

Six  thousand  Francs — Presents  for  Savages — Supply  of  Goods  necessary. 

"  When  it  pleases  you  that  I  should  make  an  entire 
reunion  of  our  allies  at  this  place,  it  will  be  very  easy  to 
accomplish  it ;  though  on  account  of  the  extraordinary 
war  of  Canada,  it  will  now  be  necessary  to  have  about 
six  thousand  francs  placed  at  my  disposal,  to  be  em 
ployed  as  I  judge  expedient,  for  the  success  of  this 
enterprise ;  and  of  which  I  will  give  an  exact  ac 
count  to  M.  de  Callieres,  and  M.  Beauharnais,  the  in- 
tendant. 

"  I  have  already  had  the  honor  to  write  you  concern 
ing  the  presents  and  necklaces  which  we  give  the  sava 
ges.  These  are  especially  given  to  induce  their  trans 
migration^  and  are,  to  them,  pledges  of  our  fidelity  to 
the  promises  we  make  them  ;  and  are  titles  which  give 
them  the  right  to  possess,  or  abandon,  as  contracts  do 
among  civilized  people. 

"  You  know  that,  to  this  day,  the  company  have  not 
contributed  a  farthing  for  gifts,  to  put  the  savages  in 
motion.  It  is  true  that  they  have  placed  in  my  hands  a 
considerable  stock  of  goods,  to  give  an  appearance  of 
prosperity  to  this  establishment,  without  cost  to  the  king ; 
and  I  believe  they  have  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  my 
management,  since  it  is  certain  that  they  have  rather 
gained  than  lost.  I  am  better  informed  concerning  this 
than  any  one  else ;  at  any  rate,  if  they  complain  of  the- 
expenses  which  it  has  been,  or  may  be,  necessary  to  in- 


106  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Cadillac  pledges  Indemnification — Desires  some  Service  as  proof  of  his  Sincerity. 

cur  to  sustain  this  post,  I  willingly  pledge  myself  to  in 
demnify  them,  and  to  urge  on  affairs  here  as  your  High 
ness  may  desire. 

"  If  you  doubt  it,  I  will,  whenever  you  please,  give 
you  such  proof,  that  I  dare  flatter  myself  you  will  fully 
believe  my  statement. 

"  If  this  portion  of  the  country  had  not  been  excluded 
from  commerce,  it  would  have  fortified  itself. 

"  I  think  the  shortest  way  by  which  I  could  inspire 
you  with  confidence,  would  be  by  actual  service.  Have 
the  kindness  to  employ  me  in  some  enterprise,  and  sus 
tain  me  with  the  honor  of  your  protection ;  and  if,  in 
spite  of  all  the  malice  and  trickery  of  my  enemies,  I  do 
not  succeed,  never  use  me  again. 

"  My  enemies  are  continually  attempting  to  overthrow 
my  plans,  or  at  least  to  produce  vexatious  delays,  by 
presenting  numerous  arguments  against  them,  represent 
ing  the  obstacles  to  be  insurmountable,  while  I  am  em 
ployed  in  proving  the  fallacy  of  their  objections. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  the  trade  in  buffalo-skins  could 
be  sustained,  on  account  of  the  contempt  in  which  they 
are  held  by  the  company.  They  do  not  pay  the  savages 
for  them  more  than  six  francs  a-piece.  This  does  not 
please  the  hunters,  because  a  package  of  hides,  weighing 
two  hundred  and  fifty  or  three  hundred  pounds,  must 
be  transported  from  three  to  four  leagues  inland,  which 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  107 

Copper  on  Lake  Huron— Facilities  for  obtaining  the  Ore — Plan  of  Exploration, 

they  find  too  much  labor.  They  therefore  prefer  to  em 
ploy  themselves  in  hunting  beavers  and  other  animals, 
whose  skins  are  lighter  and  easier  to  transport. 

"  If  the  company  does  not  increase  the  price  of  bufialo- 
skins,  I  think  the  savages  will  follow  this  chase  only  at 
a  time  when  they  can  obtain  no  other  furs. 

"  We  have  found  a  mine  of  copper  on  Lake  Huron,  of 
which  I  send  you  a  specimen,  which  seems  to  me  very 
pure.  I  have  sent  as  much  to  M.  de  Callieres,  and  to 
the  directors  of  the  company,  in  order  that  they  may 
take  measures  to  know  if  it  is  sufficiently  abundant  to 
induce  them  to  make  an  enterprise  of  it.  The  conveni 
ences  would  be  great,  as  the  boats,  and  even  the  vessels 
could  go  to  the  places  where  it  is,  not  being  very  far 
distant  from  this  post. 

"  If  you  will  permit  me  to  explore  the  mines  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  lakes  and  rivers,  I  will  devote  my 
self  to  the  exploration,  visiting  the  different  localities  in 
person,  that  you  may  be  more  certainly  informed  of  the 
facts.  I  am  not  able  to  incur  the  expense,  but  will  only 
ask  permission  to  choose  for  this  enterprise  twelve  capa 
ble  men,  in  Canada,  who  shall  have  the  liberty  to  carry 
goods  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred  francs  each,  and 
no  more,  into  the  places  which  they  shall  visit.  In  con 
forming  myself  to  your  wjshes,  I  will  close  the  mouth  of 
all  my  enemies.  By  this  means,  perhaps,  there  will 


108  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Mulberry-trees  on  Grand  Kiver— Cultivation  of  Silk— Abundant  harvest 

remain  to  the  envious,  only  the  vexation  of  seeing  me 
succeed. 

"  In  any  case,  this  attempt  will  cost  nothing  to  the 
king,  nor  to  the  public ;  consequently,  they  will  have 
little  ground  of  complaint. 

"  The  Grand  river,  so  called,  on  Lake  Erie,  near  the 
farther  extremity,  is  about  fifteen  leagues  from  here ; 
and  along  its  shores,  and  extending  into  the  depths  of 
its  forests,  are  great  numbers  of  mulberry-trees ;  the  land 
is  also  perfectly  good.  If  you  will  have  the  kindness  to 
grant  me  six  leagues  on  each  side  of  the  river,  and  as 
much  in  the  forest,  in  title  of  marquisate,  with  the  rights 
of  hunting,  fishing,  and  trade,  I  will  undertake  the  cul 
tivation  of  silk,  by  having  people  come  from  France  who 
understand  the  business,  and  who  will  bring  with  them 
the  necessary  quantity  of  silkworms.  Should  you  grant 
me  this  kindness,  I  will  take  measures  to  have  them 
come  by  the  first  vessels,  in  order  that  they  may  arrive 
here  before  winter. 

"  As  to  trade,  I  will  not  make  any  till  after  the  lease 
of  the  company  expires. 

"We  have  made  a  fine  harvest  this  year,  and  have 
abundant  supplies  for  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  but  I  do  not  believe  we  shall  be  at  that  trou 
ble,  on  account  of  the  objections  that  are  made  to  giving 
me  soldiers. 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  109 

Military  importance  of  Detroit— Chief  of  the  Hurons— Indian  soldiers. 

"  I  have  contented  myself  with  asking  for  only  fifty 
effective  men ;  they  left  me  but  twenty-five,  and  I  do 
not  know  as  they  will  grant  me  even  the  additional 
twenty-five.  I  beg  you  to  order  M.  de  Callieres  to  grant 
me  fifty  more  next  year,  that  this  garrison  may  be  com 
posed  of  one  hundred  effective  men. 

"This  post  should  be  equal  to  all  emergencies,  not 
only  on  account  of  our  enemies,  but  also  on  account  of 
our  allies,  whom  it  is  necessary  to  hold  in  abeyance.  It 
would  be  still  better  if  you  would  send  me  some  troops 
from  France. 

"  The  principal  chief  of  the  Hurons,  who  is  very 
absolute  in  his  nation,  told  me  to  write  to  you  that 
he  would  be  very  glad  to  go  to  France,  to  assure  His 
Majesty  of  his  fidelity,  and  of  his  earnest  desire  to 
engage  in  the  French  service.  He  proposes  to  form  a 
company  of  fifty  men,  of  his  nation,  provided  the 
French  will  make  him  captain,  and  give  him  a  lieu 
tenant  and  ensign.  He  also  requires  that  we  should 
pay  him  and  his  soldiers,  by  the  month,  the  same  wages 
that  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  army  are  paid  in  this 
country. 

"  There  is  another  chief,  of  the  same  nation,  who  ob 
ligates  himself  to  do  the  same  thing.  They  beg  of  you 
also  to  give  them  a  passage  on  a  vessel,  to  visit  the  king. 
I  believe  they  intend  to  have  a  hunting  expedition  for 


110  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Message  of  the  Outawa  Chief— Indian  soldiers— Chiefs  request  Clothing,  &c. 

the  purpose  of  obtaining  furs  for  a  present  to  yourself, 
as  an  expression  of  their  good-will. 

"  The  principal  chief  of  the  Outawas,  who  is  one  of 
the  noblest  looking  men  I  have  seen  among  all  these 
nations,  and  who  is  Frenchified  in  his  habits,  requested 
me  to  write  you,  that  he  also  is  anxious  to  visit  you,  but 
his  age  will  not  permit  him  to  take  so  long  a  journey. 
However,  he  will  send  his  nephew,  with  another  friend, 
to  France,  to  offer  his  services  to  the  king.  If  His  Ma 
jesty  wishes  to  incur  the  expense,  I  think  it  will  be  the 
best  means  by  whicli  to  secure  the  entire  subjection  of 
these  two  nations. 

"  I  think  it  would  be  necessary  to  spare  these  Indian 
soldiers  a  little  in  the  beginning,  and  only  oblige  them 
to  do  military  duty  once  a  month,  when  they  would  be 
reviewed  with  the  other  troops.  It  might  even  be  expe 
dient  to  release  them  entirely  from  military  duty  for 
three  months  during  the  winter,  when  they  are  engaged 
in  hunting ;  but  it  would  be  necessary  to  be  very  exact 
in  paying  these  companies  every  month. 

"The  chiefs  who  propose  to  form  these  companies, 
wish  to  have  standards  and  clothes  like  the  other  sol 
diers;  and  they  hope  you  will  also  furnish  them  with 
arms.  They  have  assured  me  that  they  wrould  obey  me 
in  all  things  pertaining  to  the  service  of  the  king,  and 
have  also  promised  obedience  to  all  others  who  are 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  Ill 

Residence  of  the  Huron  Chief— Outawa  Chief  visits  Montreal. 

commissioned  by  him.  I  have  fully  explained  to  them 
how  they  must  behave  as  soldiers,  and  especially  that 
they  would  be  expected  to  exercise  a  spirit  of  subordina 
tion.  They  expressed  themselves  satisfied  with  all  my 
instructions. 

"None  need  be  astonished  at  their  ready  acquies 
cence,  for  all  men,  in  whatever  state  they  are  born, 
lack  neither  vanity  nor  ambition ;  and  there  are  always 
enough  who  are  anxious  to  make  themselves  esteemed 
and  renowned  among  their  fellow-men. 

"  The  chief  of  the  liurons  is  already  so  inflated  by 
this  proposition,  that  he  has  requested  M.  de  Callieres  to 
cause  him  to  live  in  French  fashion.  I  received  an 
order,  when  in  Quebec,  to  build  him  a  house  of  oak, 
forty  feet  long,  and  twenty-four  feet  wide.  This  house 
is  delightfully  situated  on  the  margin  of  the  river ;  it 
stands  on  a  little  eminence,  and  overlooks  the  village  of 
the  Hurons.  His  example  has  induced  the  chief  of  the 
Outawas  to  go  to  Montreal,  to  ask  the  same  favor  of 
M.  de  Callieres.  He  has  not  yet  returned,  but,  without 
doubt,  his  request  will  be  granted. 

"  You  will  perceive,  by  what  I  have  written,  that  my 
plans  seem  to  be  working  well.  My  opinion  is,  that 
these  things  are  the  most  sure  to  render  this  people  per 
manently  subject  to  the  king,  and  afterward  to  make 
them  Christians.  These  projects  will  have  a  better  effect 


112  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Good  results  of  the  efforts  of  the  Missionaries — Indian  Seminary  needed. 

than  the  preaching  of  the  missionaries,  since  it  is  certain 
that  they  do  not  make  any  progress,  and  that  all  the 
good  they  do,  is  that  which  arises  from  the  baptism  of 
those  children  who  die  after  having  received  it. 

"  Permit  me  to  insist  upon  the  great  necessity  there 
is  for  the  establishment  of  a  seminary  at  this  place,  for 
the  instruction  of  the  children  of  the  savages  with  those 
of  the  French — instructing  them  in  piety,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  teaching  them  our  language. 

"The  savages,  being  naturally  proud,  seeing  their 
children  placed  among  ours,  would  dress  them  in  the 
same  manner,  and  make  their  attendance  at  the  semi 
nary  a  point  of  honor.  It  is  true  that  it  would  be  neces 
sary,  at  first,  to  allow  these  little  savages  great  liberty, 
and  only  confine  ourselves  to  the  design  of  civilizing 
them,  and  rendering  them  capable  of  receiving  instruc 
tion  ;  and  leave  the  rest  to  Him  who  made  the  heart. 

"  This  expense  would  not  be  very  great ;  I  believe  if 
His  Majesty  would  grant  a  thousand  crowns  to  the  sem 
inary  at  Quebec,  that  institution  would  commence  this 
pious  and  holy  work.  Those  gentlemen  are  so  full  of 
zeal  for  the  service  of  God,  and  of  charity  for  all  that 
regards  the  subjects  of  the  king  in  this  colony,  that  we 
cannot  help  admiring  them.  All  the  country  is  under 
inexpressible  obligations  to  them  for  the  good  education 
they  give  the  youth,  together  with  their  good  example 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  113 

Cadillac  pledges  himself  for  the  future  Support  of  the  Seminary — No  lack  of  Hunters. 

and  doctrine.  It  is  these  efforts  which  have  produced 
very  good  subjects  in  the  service  of  the  Church  in  New 
France. 

"  I  think  you  cannot  commence  this  work  too  soon, 
and,  if  you  object  to  it  on  account  of  the  expenses  which 
may  arise  afterward,  I  will  pledge  myself  to  raise,  in  this 
country,  the  amount  necessary  to  continue  to  the  savages 
this  gratification,  without  any  farther  cost  to  the  king. 

"  There  is  no  reason  to  fear  that  savages  will  be  want 
ing  to  do  the  hunting  necessary  to  supply  beaver  and 
other  furs.  There  are  many  nations  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  lakes,  and  in  the  depths  of  the  immense  forests,  who 
will  never,  perhaps,  be  reached  by  civilization,  quite 
sufficient  to  kill  all  the  animals  whose  furs  are  useful  in 
trade. 

"  If  these  nations  immediately  around  us  are  brought 
into  subjection  to  the  service  of  the  king,  in  the  manner 
I  have  proposed,  it  would  not  prevent  them  from  doing 
their  hunting  at  the  proper  time.  These  things  will 
only  bring  them  into  a  state  to  be  Frenchified,  and  en 
able  them  to  take  arms  in  the  service  of  the  king,  when 
he  shall  need  them. 

"  One  can  easily  perceive  that  if  the  savages  were 
to-day  upon  the  proposed  footing,  it  would  be  of  great 
advantage  to  the  colony ;  since  it  is  certain  that,  at  the 
first  beat  of  the  drum,  we  could  place  under  arms  those 


114:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Advantages  of  firm  Union  with  Indian  allies— Decisive  Orders  necessary. 

savages  who  are  disciplined,  and  their  example  would 
easily  attract  all  the  rest  to  follow  them,  and  do  like 
them.  Thus,  in  the  present  war,  these  people,  if  united 
with  us,  would  make  incursions  and  terrible  inundations 
upon  the  English  colonies.  Instead  of  that,  they  are 
divided  among  themselves,  and  are  content  to  see  us 
do,  while  we  are  only  too  happy  if  we  can  continue  to 
hold  them  in  that  state. 

"  I  foresee  that  there  will  be  many  objections  to  the 
plans  which  I  have  the  honor  to  lay  before  you.  I  can 
not  prevent  them,  but  can  only  assure  you  that  the  plans 
shall  succeed  if  you  wish. 

"  To  come  to  the  point,  it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to 
send  good  orders,  very  decisive  and  exact,  and  to  speak 
a  little  with  the  great  teeth. 

"  If  these  plans  were  proposed  by  some  one  who  has 
the  protection  of  the  Jesuits,  they  would  have  an  ex 
cellent  relish  for  them,  and  nothing  would  appear  more 
easy  to  be  put  in  execution.  But,  because  I  have  not 
consulted  them,  or  rather,  because  I  have  not  been  dis 
posed  to  allow  myself  to  be  treated  as  a  slave,  as  some 
of  my  predecessors  were,  who  commanded  in  this  coun 
try,  they  represent  as  impossible  every  thing  that  I  pro 
pose.  It  seems  to  me,  nevertheless,  that  if  the  Count 
would  pay  attention  to  these  plans  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  present,  and  of  which  M.  de  la  Touche  is 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  115 

Synopsis  of  Memorial — Change  in  the  Fur-trade. 

well-informed,  it  could  be  clearly  seen  whether  I  reason 
wisely  or  extravagantly. 

"I  will  not  repeat  the  different  designs  I  have  pre 
sented  to  the  Count,  I  will  only  speak  of  Detroit.  When 
I  had  the  honor  to  present  my  memorial  to  you,  remem 
ber,  if  you  please,  what  trouble  there  was  on  account  of 
the  too  great  quantity  of  beaver,  for  which  they  could 
not  find  sale  in  France.  The  old  traders  complained 
that,  on  this  account,  they  would  not  be  able  to  sustain 
their  lease.  I  mentioned  this  in  my  memorial,  asking 
for  the  establishment  of  Detroit,  and  pledged  myself  to 
employ  the  savages  in  hunting  other  animals,  such  as 
the  deer,  the  wild  goat,  the  Canadian  elk,  the  roebuck, 
the  black  bear,  and  the  wolf,  together  with  the  lynx, 
otter,  pecquans,  and  other  small  furs,  for  three  years, 
without  hunting  the  beaver,  in  order  that  they  might,  by 
this  means,  have  time  to  sell  a  considerable  quantity  of 
the  furs  already  amassed.  I  have  so  far  executed  what 
I  promised,  that  there  have  been  sent  out  from  Detroit 
only  about  eight  thousand  beaver-skins  in  three  years ; 
and  the  surplus  trade  has  been  of  large  skins  and  small 
furs.  The  books  of  the  company  show  that  this  fact  is 
indisputable. 

"  The  second  design  that  I  had  in  projecting  this  es 
tablishment,  was  not  so  much  to  have  another  post  for 
commerce,  as  to  afford  a  protection  to  commerce ;  since 


116  EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN". 


Good  garrison  indispensable— Grants  of  Land  to  Soldiers — Canadians. 


from  this  place  we  can  go  by  canoe  to  all  the  nations 
that  are  around  the  lakes.  It  is  a  door  by  which  one 
can  go  in  and  out,  to  trade  with  all  our  allies. 

"  I  confess  that  to  give  success  to  this  establishment, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  make  it  a  substantial  post;  to 
keep  here  a  good  garrison,  to  give  the  liberty  to  settle 
here,  and  not  to  allow  any  other  establishment  in  the 
upper  country. 

"  As  several  of  the  soldiers  desire  to  establish  them 
selves  in  this  place,  and  for  this  purpose  have  asked  of 
me  grants  of  land,  have  the  kindness  to  inform  me  if 
you  wish  me  to  comply  with  their  request.  They  would 
take  the  confirmation  of  the  grant  from  M.  de  Callieres 
and  M.  de  Beauharnais. 

"  Do  you  wish  the  soldiers  to  marry  here,  when  they 
shall  be  in  a  condition  to  support  a  family  ?  I  think  it 
would  be  policy  to  settle  a  certain  number  of  them  every 
year. 

"  Be  pleased  also  to  inform  me  if  you  wish  dwelling- 
places  granted  to  the  Canadians :  there  are  several  who 
persecute  me  continually  for  them. 

"  It  is  for  you  to  speak  decidedly  on  this  point,  for  I 
cannot  conceal  from  you  that  the  company  do  not  wish 
to  do  any  thing  about  it.  They  pretend  that  this  emi 
gration  would  weaken  the  posts  on  this  side  of  Quebec 
and  Montreal.  As  for  me,  I  do  not  believe  that  forty  or 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  117 

Inhabitants  needed  at  Detroit — French  Settlements — Jesuits. 

fifty  men,  more  or  less,  in  those  larger  places,  would 
make  much  difference,  or  prevent  the  execution  of  any 
of  their  projects,  while  at  this  post  they  would,  without 
doubt,  be  a  great  assistance.  Nothing  can  ever  be  ac 
complished  here  without  more  inhabitants.  Our  allies, 
who  are  already  established  here,  and  those  who  are  on 
the  way,  would  soon  consider  it  a  bad  omen,  and  draw 
vexatious  inferences  concerning  the  faithfulness  of  our 
promises,  as  we  have  told  them  this  should  be  a  very 
considerable  establishment. 

"Perhaps  you  are  already  aware  that  there  are  no 
French  settlements  in  this  country,  even  to  the  habita 
tion  of  M.  Juchereau,*  where  there  are  not  Jesuits. 
Detroit  is  the  only  exception.  As  they  express  so  much 
earnest  zeal  in  serving  the  missions,  this  fact  shows  the 
good-will  they  have  toward  me.  As  they  trouble  them 
selves  so  much  with  my  affairs,  I  do  not  desire  to  see 
them  here ;  yet  they  should  choose  for  themselves,  and 
make  known  their  decision,  that  measures  might  be 
taken  to  have  other  missionaries  come. 

"  It  is  proper  that  you  should  be  informed  that  more 
than  fifty  years  since,  the  Iroquois,  by  force  of  arms, 
drove  away  nearly  all  of  the  other  Indian  nations  from 

®  M.  Juchereau's  was  the  most  distant  trading-post  of  the  Northwest, 
and  was,  I  think,  at  the  western  extremity  of  the  country  of  the  Illi 
nois,  beyond  Lake  Michigan. 


118  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Lake  Superior  region — Michilimackinac — M.  Cadillac — Montreal 

this  region  to  the  farther  extremity  of  Lake  Superior — a 
country  five  hundred  leagues  north  of  this  post,  and 
frightfully  barren  and  inhospitable.  About  thirty-two 
years  ago,  these  exiled  tribes  collected  themselves  to 
gether  at  Michilimackinac,  which  is  also  an  ungrateful 
land.  There  they  were  obliged  to  subsist  principally 
upon  fish,  in  the  manner  that  I  explained  to  you  in  a 
statement  which  I  made  when  in  France,  and  with 
which  you  had  the  kindness  to  tell  me  you  were  well 
satisfied. 

"  It  seems  that  God  has  raised  me  as  another  Moses  to 
go  and  deliver  this  people  from  captivity,  or  rather,  as 
Caleb,  to  bring  them  back  to  the  country  of  their  fathers, 
to  their  ancient  dwelling-place,  of  which  there  remained 
to  them  but  a  faint  idea. 

"  Meanwhile,  Montreal  plays  the  part  of  Pharaoh ;  he 
cannot  see  this  emigration  without  trembling,  and  he 
arms  himself  to  destroy  it.  But  I  hope  the  Count,  no 
ticing  that  he  is  a  ferocious  beast  without  a  guide,  and 
without  light,  will  smooth  my  path,  and  break  through 
the  impediments  only  to  inundate  and  submerge  those 
who  have  the  rashness  to  desire  the  overthrow  of  a  de 
sign  so  just. 

"  The  people  of  Montreal  do  not  know  what  they  ask. 
They  have  broken  the  scepter  of  their  first  king,  who  is 
God  himself.  They  wished  to  reject,  and  even  stone 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  119 

Iroquois  abandon  that  region — Company  of  the  Colony. 

Him,  who  caused  exquisite  food  to  be  rained  upon  the 
most  ungrateful  lands,  and  broke  the  rocks  to  satisfy 
their  thirst. 

"  Of  what  do  they  complain,  since  the  post  of  Detroit 
is  established  in  an  abandoned  country,  which  has  long 
remained  in  the  possession  of  the  Iroquois  and  the 
wolves  ? 

"  The  Iroquois  pursued  the  chase  in  all  that  region, 
and  brought  the  beaver  and  small  furs  to  the  English. 
This  is  an  indubitable  fact,  and  one  must  be  full  of 
stubbornness  to  dispute  it.  I  have,  therefore,  taken  the 
right  time  to  commence  this  establishment.  The  Iro 
quois  have  entirely  withdrawn,  or  if  any  remain,  they 
are  intermingled  with  our  allies.  All  the  hunting  is 
done  by  our  savages,  and  all  the  trade  returns  to  us.  It 
is,  then,  a  benefit  to  the  kingdom  of  France,  and  a  source 
of  profit  which  we  have  torn  from  England. 

"Individuals  have  complained  that  the  Company  of 
the  Colony  have  the  sole  profit.  I  do  not  deny  it ;  I 
leave  them  the  liberty  to  clamor ;  I  only  wish  that  they 
may  have  eyes  to  distinguish  that  it  is  not  the  fault  of 
the  establishment,  nor  of  him  who  planned  it. 

"  I  confess  to  some  degree  of  boldness  in  coming  to 
erect  a  trading-post  for  the  company,  in  the  midst  of 
an  ungoverned  people.  They  now  begin  to  have  some 
first  ideas  of  subordination,  but  these  will  soon  be  ef- 


120  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Commissioners— Cadillac's  management  of  the  Allies. 

faced,  since  the  company  have  suddenly  reduced  them 
to  the  necessity  of  accepting  whatever  the  commissioners 
feel  disposed  to  give.  The  savages  are  also  exposed  to 
the  insults  of  these  commissioners  of  the  company,  who 
treat  them  according  to  their  whim,  or  rather  according 
to  the  brutal  disposition  which  this  kind  of  people  usually 
possess. 

"I  wish  to  believe  that  the  affairs  of  the  kingdom 
have  induced  the  Count  to  adopt  the  present  system  for 
a  time,  with  the  intention  of  uniting  this  post  to  His 
Majesty's  domain,  after  the  lease  has  expired.  It  is  in 
this  belief  that  I  have  devoted  myself  here  to  the  service 
of  the  king.  In  managing  our  allies,  I  endeavor  to 
make  them  understand  that  this  second  captivity,  or 
rather  this  barbarous  tyranny,  will  soon  end.  I  do  not 
know  whether  all  our  promises  can  induce  them  to  be 
patient  till  that  time.  I  fear  that  this  kind  of  servitude 
will  cause  them  to  trade  with  the  English,  and  form 
alliances  with  them.  It  will  not  be  just  to  blame  me 
if  this  should  be  the  case. 

"  If  this  establishment  is  bad,  it  would  be  well  for  the 
Count  to  decide  its  fate  at  once.  I  have  spoken  my 
opinion  about  it ;  I  have  explained  the  circumstances  of 
the  case :  you  have  been  convinced  of  the  necessity  for 
erecting  this  fort,  and  its  utility  in  the  service  of  the 
king,  the  progress  of  religion,  and  the  advancement  of 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  121 

Cadillac  requests  special  Regulations  for  his  Post. 

the  colony.  It  only  remains  for  me  now  to  imitate  the 
governor  of  the  Holy  City — take  water  and  wash  my 
hands  of  the  affair. 

"  Had  it  been  the  pleasure  of  my  lord  to  grant  me  the 
government  of  this  colony,  it  would  have  been  in  my 
case  as  in  all  others.  Cries  and  complaints  would  have 
been  changed  into  congratulations  and  compliments  ; 
because  those  who  envy  me,  and  who,  without  cause, 
fear  my  advancement,  have  sufficient  power  to  blacken 
all  I  do,  with  the  desire  to  effect  my  removal ;  while,  if 
they  saw  their  hopes  frustrated,  they  would  follow  the 
ordinary  course  of  people,  and  applaud  the  very  project 
against  which  they  had  inveighed. 

"  If  you  would  yourself  make  the  regulations  for  this 
post,  instead  of  sending  general  orders  to  Canada,  every 
thing  would  go  much  better;  for,  not  being  near  the 
governor-general  and  intendant  myself  to  urge  my  own 
claims,  they  always  have  some  private  reason  for  not 
granting  me  the  protection  which  I  ask  of  them.  All 
this  is  done,  in  order  to  manage  those  who  oppose  me. 
It  is  not  in  my  power  to  prevent  this,  whatever  measures 
I  may  take. 

"  They  continue  to  send  out  traders  among  our  allies, 
under  the  plausible  pretext  of  a  continuation  of  the 
permits.  The  traders,  finding  themselves  at  greater 
liberty  now  than  ever  before,  are  guilty  of  conduct 


122  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Disgraceful  Conduct  of  the  Traders— Disaffection  of  the  Allies — Eobbery  of  M.  Boudor. 

disgraceful  to  the  French  nation,  and  enormities  are 
committed  that  deserve  correction.  These  things  cause 
great  disaffection  among  our  allies,  -which  it  will  be  diffi 
cult  to  remedy. 

"Last  year  they  sent  M.  Boudor,  a  Montreal  mer 
chant,  into  the  country  of  the  Sioux,  to  join  Le  Sueur. 
He  succeeded  so  well  in  that  journey  that  he  transported 
thither  twenty-five  or  thirty  thousand  pounds  of  mer 
chandise,  with  which  to  trade  in  all  the  country  of  the 
Outawas.  This  proved  to  him  an  unfortunate  invest 
ment,  as  he  has  been  robbed  of  part  of  the  goods  by  the 
Outagamies.  I  believed  it  necessary  that  you  should  be 
informed  of  this  affair,  that  you  might  apply  a  remedy. 

"The  occasion  of  this  robbery  by  one  of  our  own  allies 
was  as  follows :  I  speak  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  facts, 
as  they  occurred  while  I  was  at  Michilimackinac.  From 
time  immemorial,  our  allies  have  been  at  war  with  the 
Sioux;  and  on  my  arrival  at  Michilimackinac,  in  con 
formity  to  the  orders  of  M.  Frontenac,  the  most  able 
man  who  has  ever  come  into  Canada,  I  attempted  to 
negotiate  a  truce  between  the  Sioux  and  all  our  allies. 
Succeeding  in  this  negotiation,  I  took  the  occasion  to 
turn  their  arms  against  the  Iroquois,  with  whom  we  were 
then  at  war ;  and  soon  after,  I  effected  a  treaty  of  peace 
between  the  Sioux,  and  the  French  and  their  allies, 
which  lasted  two  years. 


I  Y    /J 


EAELY   HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  123 


Sioux  visit  the  Miamis — Take  their  departure — Eeturn  and  massacre  three  thousand. 

"  At  the  end  of  that  time,  the  Sioux  came,  in  great 
numbers,  to  the  villages  of  the  Miamis,  under  pretense 
of  ratifying  the  treaty.  They  were  well  received  by 
the  Miamis,  and  after  spending  several  days  in  their 
villages  departed,  apparently  perfectly  satisfied  with 
their  good  reception,  as  they  certainly  had  every  reason 
to  be. 

"  The  Miamis,  believing  them  already  far  distant, 
slept  quietly ;  but  the  Sioux,  who  had  premeditated  the 
attack,  returned  the  same  night  to  the  principal  village 
of  the  Miamis,  where  most  of  the  tribe  were  congregated, 
and,  taking  them  by  surprise,  slaughtered  nearly  three 
thousand,  and  put  the  rest  to  flight. 

"  This  perfidy  irritated  all  the  nations.  They  came  to 
Michilimackinac  with  their  complaints,  begging  me  to 
join  with  them  and  exterminate  the  Sioux.  But  the  war 
we  then  had  upon  our  hands  did  not  permit  me  to  listen 
to  their  proposition,  so  it  became  necessary  for  me  to 
hold  a  great  council,  and  play  the  orator  in  a  long 
harangue.  In  conclusion,  I  advised  them  to  '  weep 
their  dead,  and  wrap  them  up,  and  leave  them  to 
sleep  coldly  till  the  day  of  vengeance  should  come  ;' 
telling  them  that  we  must  sweep  the  land,  on  this  side, 
of  the  Iroquois,  as  it  was  necessary  to  extinguish  even 
their  memory,  after  which  the  allied  tribes  could  more 
easily  avenge  the  atrocious  deed  that  the  Sioux  had 


124:  EARLY  HISTOKY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Allies  complain  that  the  French  Traders  carry  Munitions  of  War  to  the  Sioux. 

just  committed  upon  them.  In  short,  I  managed  them 
so  well  that  the  affair  was  settled  in  the  manner  that  I 
proposed. 

"  But  the  twenty-five  permits  still  existed,  and  the 
cupidity  of  the  French  induced  them  to  go  among  the 
Sioux  to  trade  for  beaver.  Our  allies  complained  bit 
terly  of  this,  saying  it  was  gross  injustice  to  them,  as 
they  had  taken  up  arms  in  our  quarrel  against  the  Iro- 
quois,  while  the  French  traders  were  carrying  munitions 
of  war  to  the  Sioux,  to  enable  them  to  kill  the  rest  of 
our  allies,  as  they  had  the  Miamis.  They  begged  me  to 
remedy  this,  especially  as  the  French  were  passing  over 
their  land  and  before  their  villages,  which  was  a  viola 
tion  of  their  rights. 

"  I  immediately  informed  M.  Frontenac ;  and  M. 
Champigny  having  read  the  communication  and  noticed 
the  reasons  that  I  gave,  commanded  that  an  ordinance 
be  published  at  Montreal,  forbidding  the  traders  to  go 
to  the  country  of  the  Sioux  for  the  purpose  of  traffic, 
under  penalty  of  a  thousand  francs  fine,  the  confiscation 
of  their  goods,  and  other  arbitrary  penalties,  according 
to  the  opinion  which  I  might  give  on  the  subject.  This 
ordinance  was  sent  to  me  at  Michilimackinac,  with 
orders  to  publish  it  there,  and  in  all  the  other  remote 
posts.  This  was  faithfully  executed. 

"  The  same  year  I  descended  to  Quebec,  having  asked 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  125 

French  traders  carry  goods  to  the  Sioux — Cadillac  reminded  of  his  promise. 

to  be  relieved.  Since  that  time,  in  spite  of  this  prohibi 
tion,  the  French  have  continued  to  trade  with  the  Sioux, 
but  not  without  being  exposed  to  affronts  and  indignities 
from  our  allies  themselves,  which  bring  dishqnor  on  the 
French  name. 

"  All  the  nations,  remembering  the  promise  which  I 
made  to  go  with  them  against  the  Sioux  as  soon  as 
the  war  with  the  Iroquois  was  ended,  have  now  called 
on  me  to  fulfill  it.  As  the  season  furnished  me  a  good 
exciise,  I  have  made  use  of  it ;  ,also  telling  them  that  to 
day  I  was  fighting  against  the  English,  and  they  must 
be  patient  a  while  longer. 

"  They  replied,  that,  if  I  would  not  enter  into  their 
quarrel,  they  had  one  request  to  make,  which  they 
hoped  I  would  grant,  namely,  to  prevent  the  French,  as 
I  did  at  Michilimackinac,  from  going  to  the  homes  of 
the  Sioux  to  carry  them  arms  and  munitions  of  war. 
They  thought  I  ought  to  be  the  more  determined  in  my 
orders,  as  they  had  recently  had  a  combat  with  the 
Sioux,  and  had  found  among  the  slain  the  bodies  of  two 
Frenchmen,  who  had  fought  with  the  Sioux  against  our 
own  allies. 

"I  have  given  my  opinion  on  this  subject  to  M. 
Callieres  and  M.  Beauharnais,  and  explained  to  them 
clearly  that  it  is  important  that  we  should  not  thus  vio 
late  our  promises,  and  that  we  cannot  do  so  without 


126  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Cadillac  requests  that  commerce  with  the  Sioux  be  prohibited— Le  Sueur. 

exposing  ourselves  to  the  ^danger  of  losing  the  confidence 
of  our  allies.  I  do  not  consider  it  best  any  longer  to 
allow  the  traders  to  carry  on  commerce  with  the  Sioux, 
under  any  pretext  whatever,  especially  as  M.  Boudor  has 
just  been  robbed  by  the  Fox  nation,  and  M.  Juchereau 
has  given  a  thousand  crowns,  in  goods,  for  the  right  of 
passage  through  the  country  of  the  allies  to  his  habita 
tion.  They  assert  that  they  have  a  right  to  demand  this, 
as  he  carries  succor  to  their  enemies — and  I  believe  they 
reason  correctly. 

"  The  allies  say  that  Le  Sueur  has  gone  to  the  homes 
of  the  Sioux  on  the  Mississippi ;  that  they  are  resolved 
to  oppose  him,  and  if  he  offers  any  resistance  they  will 
not  be  answerable  for  the  consequences.  It  would  be 
well,  therefore,  to  give  Le  Sueur  warning  by  the  gover 
nor  of  Mississippi. 

"All  these  disorders  arise  solely  on  account  of  the 
remote  trading-posts,  which  are  all  useless,  or  rather 
very  injurious,  since  they  serve  only  as  pretexts  for  ob 
taining  permits.  When  these  are  obtained,  instead  of 
going  directly  to  their  several  posts,  they  traffic  for 
beaver  and  smaller  furs  along  the  great  river  of  the 
Outawas,  on  the  shores  of  Lakes  Huron,  Superior,  and 
Michigan,  and  all  through  the  country  of  the  Outawas. 
It  is  thus  they  have  been  in  the  habit  of  doing,  and  still 
do.  Messrs,  de  la  Forest  and  De  Tonti,  and  now  Juche- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  127 

Lawless  conduct  of  the  Canadians— Country  of  the  Illinois  granted  to  La  Salle. 

reau  and  Pascaud,  who  are  associated  with  them,  trade 
in  all  this  country,  even  to  the  environs  of  Detroit. 

"  These  things  cause  public  jealousy,  and  give  license 
to  all  the  pranks  of  the  lawless  Canadians,  who  say, 
without  ceremony,  that  it  is  only  the  circumspect  and 
obedient  who  are  dupes.  In  truth,  they  are  not  entirely 
wrong ;  for  it  is  grievous  to  them  to  see  the  traders, 
with  permits,  skimming  the  very  cream  of  the  country, 
which  had  previously  been  given  to  themselves.  I  have 
written  often  on  this  subject,  but  a  perfect  silence  has 
thus  far  been  maintained  in  all  my  instructions  from 
government. 

"  You  know  that  the  country  of  the  Illinois  has  been 
granted  to  M.  la  Salle,  with  stipulations  and  conditions, 
by  none  of  which,  however,  did  he  consider  himself 
bound ;  and  that  post  has  only  served  to  cause  many 
disputes  among  His  Majesty's  traders,  on  account  of  the 
bad  quality  of  beaver  there.  This  is  the  reason  that  the 
Count  has  forbidden  Messrs,  la  Forest  and  Tonti  to  estab 
lish  themselves  there,  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  permits 
them  to  trade  for  small  furs — which  excites  much  sur 
prise,  since  it  is  well  known  that  there  are  no  other  furs 
than  the  skins  of  the  buffalo  and  roebuck.  Of  these, 
however,  they  can  find  enough  elsewhere,  as  they  have 
always  had  the  liberty  of  trading  where  they  pleased, 
without  any  reproof. 


128  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


"War  between  the  Sauteurs,  and  Sacs  and  Foxes^-Goods  for  presents  withheld. 


"  The  Sauteurs,  being  friendly  with  the  Sioux,  wished 
to  give  passage  through  their  country  to  M.  Boudor  and 
others,  permitting  them  to  carry  arms  and  other  muni 
tions  of  war  to  this  nation  ;  but  the  other  nations  being 
opposed  to  it,  differences  have  arisen  between  them, 
which  have  resulted  in  the  robbery  of  M.  Boudor.  This 
has  given  occasion  to  the  Sauteurs  to  make  an  attack 
upon  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  killing  thirty  or  forty  of  them. 
So  there  is  war  among  this  people. 

"  I  should  have  remedied  all  these  disorders,  and  put 
an  end  to  these  differences,  if  I  had  not  been  here  with 
my  l>aton  Uanc,  with  no  instructions  from  the  king  to 
employ  it  in  favor  of  the  savages,  to  whom  we  never 
speak  on  subjects  of  importance  with  empty  hands. 

"  Similar  massacres  have  been  committed  formerly,  but 
I  have  been  able  to  settle  all  difficulties,  because  M.  Fron- 
tenac  sent  me,  every  year,  a  considerable  amount  of 
goods,  to  be  disposed  of  according  to  circumstances,  the 
intendant  taking  certificates  of  the  distributions  as  I 
made  them. 

"  Since  his  death,  the  government  has  pursued  a  dif 
ferent  course,  sending  me  nothing  to  Detroit  for  such 
emergencies.  I  have  written  to  the  governor-general 
and  intendant  for  such  a  fund,  but  they  have  not 
deigned  to  reply.  There  being,  in  all  this  region,  no 
other  establishment  than  this,  of  which  M.  Callieres  has 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  129 

Special  envoys  sent  into  the  Wilderness — Perversion  of  the  orders  of  Government. 

given  me  the  general  command,  this  authority  will  be 
but  a  shadow,  if  they  continue  the  practice  that  they 
have  commenced,  which  is  to  send  special  envoys  to  the 
homes  of  the  nations  with  presents. 

"  These  envoys  cannot  go  without  expense ;  or,  at 
least,  the  government  must  permit  those  who  go  on  such 
an  embassy  to  load  their  canoes  with  goods  for  the  pur 
poses  of  trade.  The  effect  is,  that  these  persons  have  no 
other  object  than  to  obtain  the  greatest  possible  number 
of  beaver,  even  employing  the  presents  with  which  they 
are  charged,  for  their  own  profit,  having  no  person  to 
inspect  their  conduct. 

"  It  would  be  much  more  natural  that  all  such  com 
missions  should  be  addressed  directly  to  Detroit,  and 
that  every  thing  should  pass  through  my  hands,  because 
I  should  order  the  chiefs  of  the  nations  to  come  here  and 
settle  all  their  disputes.  In  regard  to  the  distribution 
and  use  which  I.  should  make  of  the  presents  that  might 
be  committed  to  iny  care,  I  would  give  my  certificate 
for  them,  and  the  other  officers,  the  missionaries,  and 
even  the  agents,  might  give  theirs — so  there  would  be 
no  abuses  committed.  Besides,  who  can  be  chosen  to 
settle  the  quarrels  of  the  savages,  that  knows  their  man 
ners,  their  habits  and  inclinations,  better  than  I,  or  in 
whom  they  have  more  confidence  ? 

""Would  it  not  be  expedient  for  you  to  send  me  a 


130  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

News  of  the  death  of  M.  de  Callieres  received  at  Detroit. 

commission  for  the  general  command  of  this  post,  and  of 
other  remote  ones,  in  order  to  put  an  end  to  the  present 
system  of  injustice  ? 

"  The  savages  have  just  informed  me  that  four  loaded 
canoes  have  recently  been  sent  into  the  north  of  Lake 
Superior,  past  a  village  of  the  Sauteurs ;  I  do  not  know 
for  what  purpose,  but  probably,  as  usual,  on  some  plau 
sible  pretext.  The  Sioux,  to  whom  these  canoes  are 
probably  sent,  are  a  people  of  no  value  to  us,  as  they 
are  too  far  distant  to  be  in  any  way  advantageous  to  our 
commerce. 

"  As  the  convoy  that  comes  from  Montreal  usually 
remains  here  only  two  or  three  days,  I  had  written  this 
letter  thus  far,  in  order  not  to  delay  it.  I  have  fre 
quently  mentioned  M.  de  Callieres,  not  knowing  that  he 
was  dead,  which  I  have  just  learned  with  sorrow.  His 
death  will  be  a  loss  to  the  colony,  which  had  need  of  a 
person  of  such  experience. 

"  Some  time  since  I  wrote  to  M.  Callieres,  not  being 
aware  of  his  death,  requesting  him  to  increase  this  gar 
rison  to  fifty  men,  that  it  might  be  in  a  state  of  effectual 
defense  in  case  of  an  attack.  A  sufficient  number  of 
men  for  this  purpose  seems  peculiarly  necessary  at  a 
post,  that  is  liable  to  be  deprived  of  all  external  aid. 
M.  "Vaudreuil,  the  present  governor-general,  has  replied 
that  he  could  not  spare  any  soldiers,  since  many  of  them 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN-.  131 

Desertion  of  Soldiers — Cause — The  returning  Deserters  received. 

had  died  the  past  year,  and  some  had  deserted.  Kine 
soldiers  have  also  deserted  from  this  post :  however,  they 
have  requested  permission  to  return.  Some  of  them  say 
that  they  took  this  course  because  they  had  been  prom 
ised,  on  leaving  Montreal,  that  after  three  years'  service 
they  should  be  discharged.  In  fact,  M.  de  Callieres 
gave  them  his  word  for  it  in  public.  Others  say  that 
the  cause  of  their  desertion  was,  that  they  were  overbur 
dened  with  work ;  that  they  were  required  to  do  other 
than  military  service ;  and  that  they  were  vexed  to  see 
the  profits  of  their  labor  returning  to  a  company  which 
treated  them,  in  their  need,  as  Turk  treats  Moor.  There 
are  yet  others,  who  speak  of  promises  to  give  them 
lands,  and  of  allowing  them  to  establish  themselves  here, 
and  that,  finding  themselves  deceived,  they  resolved  to 
desert. 

"It  is  very  certain  that  when  I  left  Montreal,  Messrs, 
de  Callieres  and  Champigny  encouraged  me  to  hope  for 
an  increased  number  of  troops ;  therefore  I  thought  best 
to  refresh  the  memory  of  M.  de  Callieres  in  my  letter. 
On  that  account,  Messrs.  Yaudreuil  and  Beauharnais 
allowed  me  to  receive  the  deserters,  supposing  that  the 
new  ordinance  against  deserters  had  not  been  published. 

"  M.  de  Callieres  had  also  granted  my  request  that  six 
families  might  be  sent  to  settle  here ;  but  this  has  been 
refused  me  since  his  death,  with  the  excuse  that  none 


132  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Families  not  permitted  to  emigrate  to  Detroit — Petition  for  Cattle  not  granted. 

have  offered  to  go — although  I  am  credibly  informed 
that  as  many  families  as  could  be  wished,  would  gladly 
come,  if  they  had  the  liberty  to  do  so.  I  had  also  asked 
for  cattle.  The  company  were  very  willing  to  bear  the 
expense  of  their  transportation,  and  the  directors  inform 
me  they  had  borrowed  two  boats  for  conveying  them — 
but  M.  Yaudreuil  does  not  see  fit  to  grant  them. 

"  I  do  not  know  whether  any  one  has  written  you  that 
the  directors  made  a  new  contract  with  me  the  past  year, 
by  which,  in  consideration  of  the  care  that  I  am  to  take 
of  their  interests  at  this  post,  preventing  fraud  and  em 
bezzlement  on  the  part  of  the  employees  of  the  com 
pany,  and,  as  far  as  is  in  my  power,  hindering  others 
from  trading  in  this  vicinity,  they  pledge  themselves  to 
pay  me  the  sum  of  two  thousand  francs  a  year,  and  to 
furnish  subsistence  to  myself  and  family  during  the  time 
of  its  tenure. 

"  Asking  for  myself  only  the  continued  honor  of  your 
protection,  I  am,  with  very  profound  respect,  sir, 

"  Your  very  humble,  and 

' '  Very  obedient  servant, 

"LA  MOTTE  CADILLAC. 

"P.  S. — M.  de  Tonti,  who  is  at  Quebec,  informs  me 
that  M.  Yaudreuil  and  M.  Beauharnais  have  forbidden 
his  writing  to  you  at  length  concerning  this  post." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Letter  from  M.  Cadillac  to  M.  la  Touche — Complains  of  the  Jesuits  that 
they  do  not  occupy  their  Mission  at  Detroit — Danger  of  opposing 
them — The  ' '  Company  of  the  Colony' '  make  a  new  contract  with  M. 
Cadillac — His  account  of  the  agreement — M.  Cadillac  detects  two  of 
the  commissioners  in  fraud  and  embezzlement,  and  reports  them  to 
the  Directors — Descends  to  Montreal,  and  is  arrested  on  charges  pre 
ferred  by  the  Directors — Suit  not  decided  till  1705 — M.  Tonti  com 
mands  in  his  absence. 

ACCOMPANYING  M.  la  Motte's  account  of  the  condi 
tion  of  the  establishment  at  Detroit  was  the  following 

O 

letter,  addressed   to  Count  Pontchartrain's   first  clerk, 
M.  la  Touche. 

"August  31,  1703. 

"  MONSIEUR  : — I  gave  to  the  minister  a  very  exact  ac 
count  of  all  that  concerns  the  fort  at  Detroit,  and  would 
have  informed  you  likewise,  if  I  had  not  feared  to  make 
a  superfluous  repetition,  being  well  persuaded  that  he 
sends  you  all  the  information  concerning  the  affairs  of 
this  colony. 

"  You  will  see,  by  the  accompanying  letter,  which  I 
have  the  honor  to  write  him,  the  state  of  this  establish 
ment,  the  obstacles  that  are  brought  against  it,  and  the 
means  I  take  to  overcome  them. 


134  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN". 

Cadillac  complains  that  the  Jesuits  do  not  occupy  their  Mission  at  Detroit. 

"  It  appears  evident  that  the  Rev.  Father  Jesuits  have 
asked  of  the  court  the  privilege  of  preserving  their  mis 
sions  at  this  post,  and  there  were  reasons  for  granting 
their  request ;  yet,  although  the  savages  are  established 
in  sufficient  numbers  to  have  at  least  two  missionaries, 
they  have  not  succeeded  in  obtaining  one. 

"All  things  are  arranged,  as  you  will  see  by  the  copy 
of  regulations  that  I  send  to  M.  de  Pontchartrain,  dated 
September  25th,  1702. 

"  The  envoys  from  the  colony  who  went  to  France  last 
year,  have  doubtless  informed  you  of  the  measures  which 
the  directors  of  the  Company  of  the  Colony  have  taken 
to  induce  these  Fathers  to  come  and  establish  themselves 
in  this  place,  offering  to  give  them  eight  hundred  francs 
a  year  each,  besides  the  compensation  they  have  from 
the  king,  who  sends,  at  his  own  expense,  the  necessary 
provisions  for  their  subsistence.  M.  le  Chevalier  de 
Callieres  had  also  gained  the  consent  of  their  Superior 
at  Quebec  (if  they  had  one)  and  of  myself;  but  all  that 
amounts  to  nothing  at  all.  Father  Marest,  to  whom  the 
company  sent  an  express  canoe,  has  found  reasons  to 
excuse  himself  from  coming  to  the  mission  which  they 
had  designed  for  him. 

"  You  can  see,  by  the  councils  held  at  this  fort,  and  by 
the  copies  of  the  letters  that  I  send  to  M.  de  Pontchar 
train,  what  is  the  genius  of  this  country;  and  if  the  Rev. 


EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  135 

Letters  of  the  Eev.  Fathers — Danger  of  opposing  them. 

Fathers  attempt  to  recognize  any  other  Superior  than 
one  of  themselves,  I  will  take  care  to  preserve  the  origi 
nals  of  any  such  papers,  in  case  the  Count  should  desire 
to  see  them.  I  showed  the  letters,  which  I  send,  to  the 
governor-general  last  year,  and  he  did  not  appear  satis 
fied  with  their  conduct.  It  was  on  that  account  that  he 
made  the  present  arrangement,  which  has  been  signified 
to  them,  but  they  do  not  pay  any  attention  to  it. 

"  Can  any  one  believe  that  I  would,  without  strong 
reasons,  vex  any  of  the  Jesuits,  or  that  I  would  take  it 
into  my  head  to  attack  this  formidable  society?  I  have 
not  lived  till  now  without  knowing  perfectly  well  how 
dangerous  it  is  to  cross  their  path.  Is  it  not  true  that  I 
have  not  imprudently  nor  inconsiderately  attacked  all 
the  Jesuits  in  this  country,  but  rather  have  been  anima 
ted  with  zeal  for  the  service  of  the  king  ?  I  always  had 
good  ground  for  the  differences  that  I  had  with  them 
while  I  had  the  honor  to  command  at  Michilimackinac, 
on  which  all  the  distant  posts  then  depended.  The  same 
is  true  since  I  have  been  at  Detroit.  I  have  decided  to 
write  all  my  reasons  for  my  course,  and,  if  they  wish, 
they  can  give  their  own.  They  have  never  seemed  to 
wish  to  have  their  course  understood,  that  they  might 
avoid  a  decision. 

"  Was  I  not  right  so  to  arrange  my  plans  as  to  permit 
all  kinds  of  workmen  to  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  our 


136  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Claims  of  the  Jesuits— Thesis  of  all  their  Missionaries— Father  Carheil. 

Lord  ?  Tlie  Jesuits  will  say  that  the  soul  of  the  savage 
is  their  own  domain ;  if  so,  they  ought  to  cultivate  it, 
and  not  leave  it  a  prey  to  rapacious  wolves.  What  pre 
text  can  they  have  to  excuse  themselves  from  doing  their 
duty  at  this  post  ?  The  service  of  God  can  be  found  here 
as  well  as  elsewhere,  and  the  service  of  the  king  agrees 
with  it,  because  he  wishes  them  to  come.  It  is  their 
duty  to  obey  the  commands  of  the  governor-general. 
But  this  is  the  thesis  of  the  missionaries  of  the  society  in 
this  country :  they  say  it  is  necessary  that  the  orders  of 
the  king  should  be  conformed  to  the  will  of  God ;  and 
they  pretend  to  have  the  right  to  decide  what  is  the  true 
wish  of  the  king.  As  to  their  knowledge  by  which  they 
make  this  decision,  they  say  they  have  the  true  will 
of  God. 

"  It  is  on  this  assumption  that  the  Jesuits  have  clam 
ored,  and  still  continue  to  clamor,  against  the  sale  of 
brandy  to  the  savages ;  and  they  seem  to  have  satisfied 
the  Count  on  this  subject.  Here  is  a  passage  from  the 
sermon  of  Father  Carheil,  of  the  25th  of  March,  1697 : 
'There  is,'  said  he,  'neither  divine  nor  human  power, 
which  can  permit  the  sale  of  this  drink.'  Hence  you  per 
ceive  that  this  Father  passes  boldly  on  all  matters  of  state, 
and  will  not  even  submit  to  the  decision  of  the  Pope. 

"  I  do  my  best  to  make  the  Jesuits  my  friends,  wishing 
truly  to  be  theirs ;  but,  if  I  dare  say  it,  all  impiety  apart, 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  137 

Unforgiving  spirit  of  the  Jesuits — Probable  reason  for  delaying  their  Decision. 

it  would  be  better  to  speak  against  God  than  against 
them,  because,  on  the  one  side,  a  person  might  receive 
His  pardon,  but  on  the  other,  the  offense,  even  though 
doubtful,  is  never  forgiven  in  this  world,  and  would  not 
be  in  the  other,  if  their  credit  were  as  good  there  as  it  is 
in  this  country. 

"  I  think,  if  the  Jesuits  have  so  little  desire  to  assume 
the  duties  of  missionaries  at  this  post,  it  is  because  they 
do  not  like  the  proximity  of  the  French  establishment. 
They  give  many  false  reasons  for  neglecting  this  duty ; 
but,  at  least,  if  they  do  not  wish  to  come  to  Detroit,  why 
do  they  oppose  other  missionaries  who  desire  to  come  and 
take  possession?  They  delay  making  any  decision,  in 
the  vain  hope  that  the  savages  will  return  to  their  old 
haunts,  panic-struck  by  the  terrors  which  the  Jesuits 
endeavor  to  instill  into  their  minds.  I  am  willing  to 
stake  my  life  that  this  will  never  happen ;  they  have  not 
sufficient  control  over  the  minds  of  the  savages  to  pro 
duce  this  result. 

"  Permit  me,  in  closing  this  letter,  to  beg  of  you  to 
impart  to  me  the  knowledge  by  which  I  may  gain  the 
friendship  of  the  Rev.  Father  Jesuits.  For  myself,  it 
would  be  better  to  walk  in  the  way  which  dazzles  the 
eyes  of  all  the  earth,  and  yield  to  the  current  toward 
which  all  men  suffer  themselves  to  be  drawn.  This 
would  be  easy  for  me,  if  I  considered  only  my  individual 


138  EAELY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

New  contract  between  the  "Company  of  the  Colony"  and  M.  Cadillac. 

interest ;  but  when  the  object  is  to  have  the  king's  inte 
rest  advanced,  they  will  oppose  every  movement,  saying 
they  know  better  than  I.  In  that  case,  what  shall  I  do  to 
remain  in  the  path  of  their  friendship  ?  This  is  what  I 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  do,  but  perhaps  you  may 
make  some  suggestions  that  will  enable  me  to  do  better 
in  future. 

"  I  beg  of  you  to  grant  me  the  honor  of  your  recom 
mendation  to  M.  Pontchartrain,  concerning  the  kind 
nesses  that  I  ask  of  him.  You  have  been  pleased  to  do 
me  good  in  the  past,  for  which  you  have  my  deepest 
gratitude ;  I  hope  you  will  continue  the  same  favor. 
I  am,  with  very  great  respect,  sir, 

"  Your  very  humble, 

' '  Very  obedient  servant, 

"LA  MOTTE  CADILLAC. 

"FOKT  PONTCHARTKAIN,  Aug.  31,  1703." 


The  "  Company  of  the  Colony,"  becoming  dissatisfied 
with  the  first  contract  which  gave  them  the  exclusive 
commerce  of  Detroit,  subsequently  entered  into  a  new 
agreement  with  M.  Cadillac.  The  substance  of  that 
contract  is  thus  given  by  him  to  Count  Pontchartrain  : 

"  I  agreed  with  the  directors,  by  the  advice  and  con 
sent  of  the  governor-general  and  intendant,  that  I  would 
take  one-third  of  the  commerce  of  this  post,  and  the 


EARLY   HISTOEY   OF   MICHIGAN.  1,39 

Provisions  of  the  Contract — Commissioners  detected  in  Embezzlement 

company  should  be  released  from  all  pecuniary  respon 
sibility  toward  the  other  officers. 

"  Some  envious  persons  obtaining  knowledge  of  this 
agreement,  reported  to  the  directors  that  it  was  burden 
some  to  the  company.  Accordingly  another  contract 
was  made,  by  which  the  company  agreed  to  pay  me  the 
sum  of  two  thousand  francs  a  year,  and  furnish  the  ne 
cessary  supplies  for  myself  and  family.  It  was  also 
agreed  that  they  should  pay  M.  de  Tonti  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  three  hundred  and  thirty-three  francs  per  year. 

"In  consideration  of  the  payment  of  these  sums,  I 
pledged  myself  not  to  traffic  with  the  savages,  directly 
nor  indirectly,  and  to  hinder,  as  much  as  should  be  in 
my  power,  any  other  person  from  trading  at  that  post ; 
also  to  prevent  any  frauds  or  embezzlements  on  the  part 
of  the  employees  of  the  company.  The  surplus  funds 
of  the  company  the  directors  left  to  my  care  and  man 
agement  for  their  interest." 

This  last  agreement  was  made  in  1702,  and  was  con 
tinued,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  parties,  until  the 
close  of  1T03. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1703,  M.  la  Motte  Ca 
dillac  discovered  that  M.  Tonti  and  two  of  the  commis 
sioners  had  traded  with  the  Indians,  contrary  to  contract. 
He  also  detected  these  two  commissioners,  Arnaud  and 
Nolan,  in  embezzling  the  furs  of  the  company.  Having 


140  EAELY  HISTOEY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Cadillac  informs  against  them— Goes  to  Montreal— Arrested— Trial  delayed. 

proved  these  embezzlements  against  them,  M.  de  Ca 
dillac  reported  the  occurrence  to  the  directors  by  the 
next  convoy  which  went  to  Montreal,  also  informing  the 
governor-general  and  intendant  of  the  circumstances. 

The  accused  commissioners  were  near  relatives  of 
Messrs.  Lotbinieres  and  Delino,  the  principal  directors 
of  the  company.  In  order  to  shield  them,  the  directors 
sent  M.  Vincelot,  another  relative,  to  Detroit,  to  investi 
gate,  the  subject.  It  is  very  easy  to  infer  what  report 
would  be  made  on  his  return. 

M.  de  la  Motte  Cadillac  having  gone  to  Montreal 
early  in  the  autumn  of  1704,  was  arrested,  by  the  or 
ders  of  the  governor-general  and  intendant,  on  various 
charges  preferred  against  him  by  the  directors  of  the 
company.  The  principal  charge  was,  that  he  had  trans 
cended  his  duty  as  military  commandant,  and  played  the 
petty  tyrant.  The  suit  against  him  was  not  decided 
until  June  15th,  1705.  He  was  acquitted  by  the  intend 
ant,  and  immediately  asked  permission  of  the  governor- 
general  to  return  to  Detroit,  which,  during  his  absence, 
had  been  under  the  command  of  M.  de  Tonti ;  but,  on 
some  plausible  pretext,  his  request  was  not  granted. 

Impatient  at  the  delay,  and  aware  of  the  powerful 
combination  against  him,  M.  la  Motte  appealed  to  the 
colonial  minister.  By  the  next  vessels  he  received 
orders  to  appear  before  Count  Pontchartrain  at  Quebec. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


M.  la  Forest  appointed  second  in  command  at  Detroit. 


In  consequence  of  this  new  delay,  M.  la  Motte  asked  the 
governor-general  to  send  M.  Bourmont  to  command  at 
Detroit.  The  request  was  granted,  and  M.  Bourmont 
immediately  proceeded  to  Detroit. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  1705,  M.  la  Forest  was 
appointed  second  in  command  at  Detroit,  and  the  long- 
delayed  permission  was  also  given  to  M.  de  la  Motte  to 
return  to  his  post  ;  but,  preferring  to  have  a  Ml  inves 
tigation  of  his  affairs  before  the  highest  tribunal,  he 
obeyed  the  orders  of  Count  Pontchartrain,  and  remained 
at  Quebec. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Examination  of  M.  Cadillac  before  Count  Pontchartrain — Cadillac  re 
ceived  with  reproaches — His  defense — Gives  a  minute  account  of  the 
settlement  of  Detroit — Journey  thither — Conduct  of  Father  Vaillant — 
Danger  of  mutiny — Harmony  restored — Arrival  at  Detroit — Popula 
tion  of  the  Indian  villages  in  the  vicinity  in  1704 — Great  number  of 
beaver — Complains  of  the  duplicity  of  the  Jesuits  in  seeking  the  de 
struction  of  Detroit — All  arises  from  personal  enmity — Account  of  the 
embezzlements  of  the  two  commissioners — Nineteen  packs  of  furs  found 
— Other  proofs  of  their  guilt — Cause  of  Cadillac's  arrest. 

HIGHLY  indignant  at  the  supposed  failure  of  all  his 
plans  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  Detroit,  Count 
Pontchartrain  met  Cadillac  with  bitter  reproaches.  He 
was,  however,  permitted  to  make  his  defense,  and  the 
conversation  which  ensued  between  them,  was  soon  after 
ward  committed  to  writing  by  M.  la  Motte,  accepted  by 
the  minister  as  correct,  and  is  still  preserved  among  the 
colonial  archives  in  Paris.  The  reader  will  find  the 
following  translation  more  satisfactory  than  any  more 
modern  statement  of  facts. 

"  Whence  comes  it,"  exclaimed  the  Count,  when  M. 
Cadillac  was  brought  into  his  presence,  "  whence  comes 
it  that  you  have  failed  to  establish  Detroit?  I  am  in 
formed  that  it  is  through  your  neglect  that  the  project 
has  not  succeeded.  You  have  sufficient  genius  to  accom- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  143 


Cadillac's  defense  before  Count  Pontchartruin. 


plish  it,  if  you  had  wished.  I  will  punish  you  for  your 
indolence,  and  will  teach  you  to  give  me  a  detail  of 
plans  which  you  have  no  desire  to  execute. 

To  this,  M.  Cadillac  indignantly  replied  : 

"  Monseigneur,  unjust  reproaches  do  not  seem  to  sat 
isfy  you ;  you  even  add  threats  :  these  things  do  not  in 
timidate  me,  they  only  show  that  my  enemies  have  be 
lied  me  to  your  highness.  I  can  assure  you  that  I  have 
done  my  utmost  to  make  the  enterprise  successful,  and 
have  prosecuted  my  plans  with  all  imaginable  activity, 
but  I  have  been  obliged  to  yield  to  the  torrent.  If  I 
may  have  the  honor  of  repeating  to  you  what  I  have 
already  said  in  the  assembly,  I  think  you  will  justify  my 
conduct." 

The  complaints  of  M.  Cadillac's  accusers  had  indeed 
influenced  the  mind  of  the  colonial  minister;  but  he  was 
a  just  man,  and,  aware  that  M.  Cadillac  had  a  right 
to  a  patient  hearing  in  his  own  defense,  he  acceded  to 
the  request,  and  question  and  answer  elicited  a  state 
ment  of  facts  which,  to  the  present  generation,  is  so 
much  history  that  otherwise  would  have  been  irrecover 
ably  lost. 

"Was  it  not  in  1699,"  asked  Count  Pontchartrain, 
"  that  you  first  proposed  to  establish  a  trading-post  on 
the  strait,  which  forms  the  connection  between  Lakes 
Erie  and  Lake  Huron  ?" 


144:  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

.        Reception  by  the  Jesuits  at  Quebec. 

La  Motte.  "  It  was,  my  lord. 

Count.  "  How  were  you  received  on  your  arrival  in 
Canada  ? 

La  Motte.  "  Perfectly  well.  The  Jesuits,  having  been 
advised  by  the  first  vessel,  that  you  had  resolved  to  es 
tablish  Detroit,  came  down  to  the  quay  to  welcome  me 
with  many  civilities,  which  I  took  good  care  to  recipro 
cate.  As  soon  as  they  were  assured  of  the  confirmation 
of  the  report  concerning  the  proposed  establishment, 
they  devoted  themselves  to  the  work  of  petitioning  the 
governor-general  to  send  Jesuits  to  Detroit  to  establish 
themselves  as  missionaries  among  the  savages,  to  the 
exclusion  of  all  other  religious  orders.  Their  request 
was  immediately  granted,  and  they  appointed  Father 
Yaillant. 

Count.  "  At  what  time  did  you  leave  Quebec  to  go  to 
Detroit  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  left  on  the  8th  of  March,  1701,  and  ar 
rived  at  Montreal  on  the  12th,  where  some  changes  were 
made  in  our  arrangements,  the  Kecollets  having  obtained 
permission  to  have  one  of  their  priests  accompany  me, 
and  remain  at  Detroit  in  the  capacity  of  chaplain  to  the 
troops,  while  the  Jesuit  went  as  missionary.  This  trans 
gression  against  the  Jesuits  set  them  in  commotion,  and 
they  sought  to  persuade  themselves  that  I  had  caused 
the  change ;  and  this  circumstance  was  the  commence- 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  145 

Journey  to  Detroit— Kev.  Father  Vaillant. 

merit  of  their  opposition  to  the  establishment,  which 
still  continues. 

"  On  the  5th  of  June  I  left  La  Chine  with  fifty  sol 
diers  and  fifty  Canadians,  with  M.  de  Tonti  as  captain, 
and  Messrs.  Dugue  and  Chacornacle  as  lieutenants.  I 
had  orders  to  go  by  the  Grand  river  of  the  Outawas, 
notwithstanding  the  entreaties  which  I  made  against  it. 
We  arrived  at  Detroit  on  the  24th  of  July,  and  I  imme 
diately  commenced  fortifying  myself  there  ;  causing  the 
necessary  buildings  to  be  erected,  and  the  soil  to  be 
broken  up  and  prepared  for  sowing  in  autumn. 

Count.  "I  have  heard  that  Father  Yaillant,  by  his 
exhortations,  contributed  much  to  the  advancement  of 
this  work. 

La  Motte.  "  He  employed  himself  so  well,  that  if  the 
soldiers  and  Canadians  had  been  willing  to  believe  him, 
they  would  have  departed,  two  days  after  their  arrival, 
to  return  to  Montreal,  upon  the  strength  of  the  promise 
which  this  Father  made  them,  that  he  would  cause  the 
intendant  to  pay  their  wages  for  a  year,  though  they 
had  only  been  employed  six  weeks. 

Ooimt.  "  How  did  you  discover  his  ill-will,  and  un 
ravel  this  intrigue  ? 

La  Motte.  "I  perceived  it  by  the  discouragement 
which  everybody  manifested  in  regard  to  the  estab 
lishment,  which  caused  me  to  sound  one  of  the  most 

10 


146  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Discovery  of  his  Perfidy — Mutiny  prevented. 

honest  men  privately,  and  he  revealed  to  me,  in  good 
faith,  the  arguments  which  the  Jesuit  had  employed  to 
induce  them  to  quit  the  post,  and  return  with  him. 

Count.  "  Did  you  not  make  known  to  this  Father  that 
you  had  discovered  his  perfidy  ? 

La  Motte.  "  With  your  permission,  I  will  relate  the 
circumstances.  "We  were  still  encamped  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Sable,  when  I  called  together  the  soldiers  and  Cana 
dians  :  Father  Yaillant  was  present ;  he  did  not  know 
my  design,  and  was  ignorant  that  I  had  discovered  his. 
I  asked  the  Canadians  why  they  wished  to  return  to 
Montreal ;  begging  them  to  tell  me  who  could  have  in 
spired  them  with  sentiments  so  adverse  to  the  king's  in 
terests.  Then  addressing  myself  to  an  officer,  I  requested 
him  to  tell  me  w^hat  he  knew  of  it.  Father  Yaillant 
saw  plainly  by  this  proceeding  that  his  plot  was  known, 
and  that  the  moment  was  approaching  when  he  would 
be  overwhelmed  with  shame  and  confusion.  He  rose 
from  his  seat,  placed  himself  in  the  shadow  of  my 
tent,  from  whence  he  took  a  bee-line  for  the  woods,  run 
ning  with  all  his  might,  while  the  soldiers  and  Cana 
dians  who  saw  him  go,  were  almost  convulsed  with 
laughter.  My  tent  prevented  me  from  seeing  him,  and 
when  I  asked  them  the  cause  of  their  excessive  laughter, 
one  of  them  said,  c  he  did  not  know  what  dreadful  pun 
ishment  I  had  threatened  to  inflict  on  Father  Yaillant, 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  147 


Confidence  restored — Cadillac  and  Father  Vail'ant. 


that  he  should  escape  to  the  woods  in  such  haste ;  but, 
judging  from  the  speed  with  which  he  went,  we  should 
not  probably  see  him  again  very  soon.'  I  contented 
myself  with  explaining  to  these  people  the  intentions  of 
the  king,  and  the  advantages  of  his  service ;  after  which 
they  confessed,  without  hesitation,  that  their  discourage 
ment  had  arisen  from  the  instigations  of  this  Father. 
Afterward,  I  had  reason  to  be  better  satisfied  with  them. 

Count.  "  But  did  you  not  afterward  make  known  to 
him  his  error  by  reprimand,  or  in  some  other  way  which 
might  be  disagreeable  to  him  ? 

La  Motte.  "JSTo.  I  believed  it  expedient  to  keep 
silence.  I  paid  him  as  many  civilities  as  I  would  an 
archbishop,  being  satisfied  with  informing  the  governor- 
general  of  the  affair,  and  rendering  an  account  of  it 
to  you. 

Count.  "  I  remember  that  you  wrote  me  of  it ;  I  was 
also  otherwise  informed,  and  his  Superior  had  orders  to 
send  him  to  France,  and  give  you  another  man,  who 
would  better  enter  into  your  plans. 

La  Motte.  "Your  orders  would  have  produced  the 
desired  result,  if  they  had  been  fully  executed.  How 
strangely  that  religious  order  dares  to  set  aside  its  service 
to  the  king  1  This  Jesuit  has  been  permitted  still  to  re 
main  in  Canada,  more  than  ever  opposed  to  me,  and 
using  every  means  in  his  power  to  instill  his  own  hatred 


148  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN". 

Jesuits  offended — Conspiracy  discovered — Contract. 

into  the  minds  of  the  society.  Although  your  order 
was  not  fully  carried  out,  the  Jesuits  were  greatly  of 
fended  by  it ;  and  it  is  not  difficult  to  perceive  that  they 
have  sworn  to  effect  my  ruin  in  some  way  or  other. 

Count.  "It  appears,  however,  that  M.  de  Callieres 
wrote  an  agreement,  containing  many  articles,  which 
would  enable  you  to  live  in  perfect  harmony  with  the 
Jesuits ;  and  I  have  been  informed  that  all  the  difficul 
ties  which  might  at  any  time  occur,  would  speedily  be 
removed,  if  the  contract  were  fulfilled  on  both  sides. 

La  Motte.  "  It  is  true  that  this  agreement  might  have 
put  an  end  to  all  disputes  between  us,  but  the  fox  eats 
the  hen  sooner  or  later.  The  bad  conduct  of  Father 
Yaillant  having  caused  the  king  to  order  him  to  return 
to  France,  and  I,  on  my  part,  having  discovered  a  con 
spiracy  against  me,  entered  into  by  the  governor-general, 
the  intendant,  and  the  Superior  of  the  Jesuits — my  plans 
having  been  betrayed  to  them  by  M.  de  Tonti,  captain 
of  the  troops,  who  was  given  to  aid  me — the  Superior 
was  under  the  necessity  of  subscribing  to  the  agree 
ment  with  a  view  of  continuing  the  peace  until  the 
departure  of  the  vessels.  He  then  intended  to  carry 
out  his  plans  for  the  immediate  destruction  of  the  post  at 
Detroit. 

Count.  "  I  see  plainly  that  the  orders  of  the  king  lose 
their  force  as  soon  as  they  have  passed  the  Grand  Bank ; 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  149 

Assumed  authority  of  the  Jesuits — Company  of  the  Colony. 

and  the  governor-general  and  intendant  make  others  ac 
cording  to  their  own  ideas. 

La  Motte.  "  Yet  even  they  do  not  give  such  orders  as 
they  wish ;  they  are  obliged  to  yield  to  the  authority  of 
the  Jesuits.  It  is  true  that  in  conforming  to  the  will  of 
the  Jesuits,  by  a  blind  acquiescence  in  all  they  require, 
both  parties  fish  in  the  same  fishery,  while  the  people 
suffer.  Yet  the  sufferers  are  forced  to  applaud  what  in 
their  hearts  they  condemn. 

Count.  "  It  was  not  possible  to  avoid  giving  the  com 
merce  of  Detroit  to  the  Company  of  the  Colony ;  they 
promised  to  use  every  effort  to  make  the  establishment 
succeed. 

La  3£otte.  "If  you  had  known  them  as  I  do,  you 
would  have  hoped  nothing  from  them.  That  company 
is  more  knavish  and  chimerical  than  any  ever  organ 
ized.  I  would  as  soon  see  Harlequin  emperor  in  the 
moon.  It  is  they  who  have  entirely  upset  my  plans,  by 
unitedly  and  secretly  opposing  your  intentions;  being 
slily  aided  by  the  Jesuits  in  the  country. 

Count.  "  At  what  time  did  you  learn  that  the  king 
had  granted  to  this  company  the  commerce  of  that 
place  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  received  the  first  notice  of  it  on  the  18th 
day  of  July,  1702.  I  was  desired  by  a  letter,  which  I 
received  with  some  relics  from  Montreal  and  Quebec,  to 


150  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Two  thousand  savages  at  Detroit— No  expense  to  the  King. 

come  to  an  understanding  with  the  company  concerning 
the  interests  of  the  establishment. 

Count.  "  I  wrote  to  the  company  that  the  king  desired 
them  to  make  a  handsome  addition  to  your  salary,  it 
being  unreasonable  that  you  should  sustain  that  estab 
lishment  at  your  own  expense,  after  being  deprived  of 
its  commerce,  which  had  hitherto  been  your  only  means 
of  indemnification.  Are  there  many  savages  at  De 
troit  ? 

La  Motte.  "  The  villages  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  fort  contain  more  than  two  thousand  souls.  We 
number  four  hundred  good  men,  bearing  arms. 

Count.  "  How  have  you  induced  these  people  to  leave 
their  former  villages,  their  fields,  and  their  grain  ?  It 
must  have  been  at  great  cost  to  the  king.  I  judge  so  by 
the  immense  expense  incurred  for  the  savages  who  settle 
at  Montreal  and  Quebec.  They  are  allowed  soldiers' 
rations,  even  to  the  little  children ;  besides  the  frequent 
presents  they  receive. 

La  Motte.  "  I  hardly  know  how  I  have  managed,  but 
I  have  not  expended  a  sous.  The  governor-general  and 
intendant  have  not  been  willing  to  allow  me  the  value 

O 

of  a  pistole  to  use  for  presents ;  on  the  contrary,  they 
and  the  Jesuits  have  exhausted  all  their  skill  in  vain 
attempts  to  prevent  the  savages  from  coming  to  settle 
there. 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  151 


Misrepresentations — Imputed  to  Jesuitical  artifice. 


Count.  u  If  these  hinderances  were  removed,  it  appears 
that  the  better  part  of  the  savages  would  be  united  at 
that  place  ? 

La  Motte.  "  Without  doubt,  they  all  know  that  the 
climate  is  good,  and  the  soil  productive. 

Count.  uYou  say  the  country  is  good,  and  produces 
abundantly ;  but  I  have  been  informed,  repeatedly,  that 
the  land  is  good  for  nothing,  producing  very  little  grain ; 
that  there  is  scarcely  any  game  or  fish,  consequently, 
but  a  small  settlement  could  ever  be  sustained  there. 
Such  accounts  have  induced  me  to  make  efforts  to  obtain 
all  possible  information  before  urging  forward  this  es 
tablishment. 

La  Motte.  "  When  a  man  wishes  to  kill  his  dog,  he 
says  he  is  mad.  This  report  of  the  country  is  merely  an 
artifice  of  the  Jesuits,  who  have  succeeded  in  attaching 
the  governor-general  and  intendant  to  their  party.  The 
rest  of  the  inhabitants  are  of  no  account  with  them ;  in 
deed,  the  people  always  say  Amen,  to  all,  and  for  all, 
that  the  society  propose  in  regard  to  the  country. 

"Sir,  you  might  have  learned  the  real  state  of  the 
establishment,  and  the  truth  in  regard  to  the  country, 
by  secretly  sending  an  honest  man  to  investigate.  If 
he  were  known  as  being  sent  out  by  you  to  report 
concerning  the  state  of  affairs,  it  would  be  necessary 
that  he  be  well  supplied  with  good  preservatives  to 


152  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Detroit— Soil— Grain— Population— Game. 

prevent  liis  being  affected  by  the  pestilential  air  of  the 
country.  On  his  return,  he  would  have  assured  you, 
as  I  do  now,  that  in  all  JSTew  France  there  is  no  bet 
ter  land;  finer  grain  cannot  be  found,  nor  in  greater 
quantity.  In  regard  to  the  number  of  the  inhabitants, 
there  are  enough  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  fort,  and 
extending  into  the  depth  of  the  land,  to  settle  all 
Persia. 

"They  must  have  been  very  bold  and  rash  to  dare 
tell  you  such  falsehoods,  but  it  all  shows  how  the  plow 
is  held  in  that  country. 

"  As  for  game,  there  are  no  beaver  that  equal  those 
obtained  there,  and  it  cannot  be  denied  that  in  three 
years,  there  have  been  more  than  thirty  thousand  of 
them  killed.  There  is  no  habitable  land  that  furnishes 
more  game  than  Detroit. 

Count.  "I  am  convinced  of  the  truth  of  your  state 
ment.  Enlighten  me  also  concerning  the  offense  which 
this  establishment  gives  to  the  Iroquois. 

La  Motte.  "  That  is  merely  a  ruse  of  the  enemies  of 
the  post.  Being  informed  that  the  Count  wishes  peace 
to  exist  between  the  French  and  the  Iroquois,  in  order 
to  produce  a  vascillation  concerning  the  augmentation  of 
the  forces  at  Detroit,  they  have  industriously  circulated 
a  report  that  the  Iroquois  are  dissatisfied  with  it.  So 
far  from  this  being  true,  there  are  now  at  Detroit  thirty 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  153 

Iroquois  at  Detroit — Council  at  Quebec. 

families  of  that  nation,  who  have  settled  there.  So  long 
as  Detroit  is  fortified  by  the  French  and  their  allies,  the 
Iroquois  will  never  make  war  against  it.  The  Jesuits 
know  this  well,  though  they  intimate  otherwise,  and  to 
accomplish  their  designs  they  would  not  hesitate  to  in 
stigate  our  savages  to  attack  the  Iroquois,  who  them 
selves  desire  peace. 

Count.  "  Nevertheless,  at  the  council  which  was  held 
at  Quebec  by  order  of  the  king,  that  all  doubtful  points 
in  regard  to  this  establishment  might  be  discussed  and 
settled,  all  were  of  the  opinion,  that  the  disaffection  of 
the  Iroquois  was  the  greatest  obstacle  to  sustaining  the 
post  at  Detroit.  Why  did  you  not  then  make  known 
your  opinion,  and  set  aside  the  difficulty  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  had  no  knowledge  of  such  a  council 
being  held,  therefore  I  was  not  able  to  refute  what  was 
said.  The  letter  which  you  did  me  the  honor  to  write 
under  date  of  June  20th,  1703,  was  not  delivered  to  me 
till  July,  1704.  I  then  called  together  all  the  people  in 
Detroit  who  were  present  at  the  council  at  Quebec,  and 
they  signed  a  statement  that  the  governor-general  guard 
ed  the  place  of  meeting,  and  allowed  no  one  to  depart 
till  he  had  signed  against  this  post. 

"  All  the  French  who  are  settled  at  Detroit,  asked  per 
mission  of  me  to  settle  there,  from  their  own  personal 
knowledge  of  the  goodness  of  the  soil,  as  you  saw  by 


154:  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Count  convinced  of  Intrigue— Governor-general  and  Intendant. 

the  affidavits  which  I  took  the  liberty  to  send  you  under 
date  of  June  14th,  of  this  year. 

Count.  "I  can  no  longer  doubt  that  every  thing  in 
that  country  is  managed  by  intrigue  and  faction.  Had 
you  been  called  to  that  council,  as  I  wished  and  ordered, 
this  affair  might  have  terminated  differently.  The  or 
ders  of  the  king  seem  to  become  greatly  weakened  be 
yond  the  Grand  Bank — I  will  provide  against  it.  It 
surprises  me  that  the  governor-general  and  intendant 
have  not  decidedly  declared  themselves  either  for  the 
preservation  or  the  destruction  of  Detroit.  Have  they 
not  some  private  reason  for  acting  thus  ? 

La  3>fotte.  "  The  governor-general  and  intendant  have 
wisely  held  themselves  in  a  state  of  apparent  neutrality. 
They  have  satisfied  themselves  with  making  the  people 
speak,  who  were  so  managed  as  to  sign  the  death-war 
rant  of  this  establishment,  while  the  chief  officers  did 
nothing  directly,  the  better  to  gild  the  pill  for  you. 

Count.  "  What  you  say  may  be  true,  but  you  should 
have  warned  me  sooner.  Perhaps  they  may  also  have 
other  reasons  for  not  loudly  declaring  themselves  against 
that  post. 

La  Motte.  "  No  doubt  they  have  displayed  so  much 
discretion  only  from  fear  that,  in  causing  this  establish 
ment  to  fail  by  authority,  the  colony  might  also  be  over 
thrown.  Then,  if  it  should  happen  that  our  savages 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  155 

Neutrality  of  Government  Officers — Letters  intercepted. 

should  go  to  the  English,  or  rather,  if  fhe  latter  should 
come  to  establish  themselves  at  Detroit,  the  Court  would 
have  just  reason  to  reproach  them  for  it.  Therefore, 
they  have  kept  silent,  and  apparently  neutral,  that  in. 
case  of  any  untoward  event,  they  might  throw  the  blarne 
upon  the  council,  which  was  convened  at  Quebec  by 
order  of  the  king  and  colonial  minister.  My  own  opin 
ion  is,  that  the  savages  will  not  leave  Detroit,  and  I  have 
thought  that  the  Jesuits,  in  despair  of  success,  perhaps 
in  concert  with  the  governor-general  and  intendant,  may 
attempt  to  instigate  our  allies  to  revive  the  war  against 
the  Iroquois,  to  induce  you  to  decide  upon  the  final  aban 
donment  of  Detroit.  This  is  merely  a  conjecture  of  my 
own  ;  I  may  be  mistaken. 

Count.  "  It  is  shameful  that  you  were  not  present  at 
that  council,  which  I  had  ordered  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  informing  myself  fully  concerning  that  post.  I  am  no 
better  satisfied  that  my  letter  to  you  was  so  long  de 
layed. 

La  Motte.  "  Apropos  to  the  letter,  they  have  inter 
cepted  and  opened  that  which  I  had  the  honor  to  write 
you  last  year,  and  taken  copies  of  it,  which  have  become 
public.  This  shows  how  little  respect  they  have  in  that 
country  for  His  Majesty's  minister  ;  it  is  also  a  violation 
of  the  rights  of  men,  never  tolerated  except  by  enemies 
in  time  of  war. 


156  EAKLY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Letters  copied— Confidential  plans  made  known. 


Count.  "  What  do  you  say ! — is  it  really  true  that 
there  are  persons  bold  enough  to  open  letters  addressed 
to  me  ?  Do  they  not  know  that  letters  are  sacred,  and 
that  such  curiosity  is  a  crime,  and  an  outrageous  in 
sult  to  a  minister  of  the  State  ?  No  person  is  permitted 
to  open  a  letter  sent  me  by  a  commanding  officer,  with 
out  first  being  requested  to  do  so. 

La  Motte.  "No  one  could  be  ignorant  of  this;  but 
it  is  entirely  beyond  doubt  that  my  letters  have  been 
opened,  and  that  copies  of  them  have  been  taken.  I  do 
not  even  know  whether  the  originals  have  ever  been  sent 
you.  The  copies  are  exactly  the  tenor  of  my  letters  ;  by 
this  means,  all  my  business  plans  have  become  well 
known.  ^ 

Count.  "It  is  not  difficult  to  understand,  that  this 
would  enable  your  personal  enemies,  and  those  opposed 
to  the  establishment,  to  use  all  their  influence  against  you. 
I  recollect  that  in  your  letters,  you  informed  me  of  their 
real  character,  and  their  reasons,  public  and  private,  for 
opposing  your  plans.  Their  opposition  seems  to  arise 
from  motives  of  individual  interest,  and  the  hatred  they 
bear  you ;  and  this  hatred  seems  to  have  increased  in 
proportion  to  your  success.  I  fear  that,  although  the 
Iroquois  hold  in  respect  the  fortifications  at  Detroit,  these 
designing  men  will  induce  other  tribes  than  those  settled 
at  Fort  Pontchartrain,  to  make  war  upon  the  Iroquois, 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  157 


Origin  of  difficulty  between  Cadillac  and  the  Company. 


and  thus  bring  about  the  destruction  of  that  post,  which, 
according  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  is  not  well  gar 
risoned. 

La  Matte.  "  No  doubt  there  is  danger  to  be  appre 
hended  in  that  direction ;  and  I  thank  you  for  the  justice 
you  are  disposed  to  do  me,  in  thus  penetrating  the  de 
signs  of  my  enemies. 

Count.  "  I  wish  you  to  tell  me,  without  any  disguise, 
whether  the  complaints  of  the  directors  are  true.  Have 
you  contravened  the  orders  of  the  king,  and  engaged  in 
trade  at  Detroit ;  or  have  you  been  guilty  of  those  em 
bezzlements  from  the  company,  of  which  you  are  ac 
cused  ?  If  you  are  guilty,  acknowledge  it ;  if  innocent, 
justify  yourself,  and  you  shall  suffer  no  injury  for  having 
done  your  duty  and  executed  my  plans. 

La  Matte.  "  If  I  were  guilty  of  any  of  these  offenses 
you  have  mentioned,  I  should  deserve  condign  punish 
ment  ;  but  I  can  assure  you,  sir,  I  am  as  innocent  of  all 
these  accusations  as  the  angels  are  of  sin.  The  origin  of 
all  my  difficulties  with  the  company  is,  that  I  have  con 
victed  M.  de  Tonti  and  two  commissioners  of  the  com 
pany,  of  having  traded  with  the  savages  at  Detroit,  for 
their  own  benefit,  although  they  had  bound  themselves 
by  contract  to  abstain  from  all  such  traffic. 

Count.  "Is  there  proof  of  the  existence  of  such  a 
contract  ? 


158  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Embezzlements  of  the  Commissioners— Seizure  of  Furs. 


La  Motte.  "  Proof  incontestable  has  been  obtained 
to  that  effect,  which  they  have  not  been  able  to 
deny. 

Count.  "You  have  doubtless  seized  the  furs  which 
these  commissioners  have  attempted  to  smuggle. 

La  Motte.  "  That  has  indeed  been  done ;  but  what 
makes  the  crime  more  enormous,  is,  that  the  furs  have 
been  taken  from  the  very  storehouse  of  the  company,  or 
rather  the  commissioners  have  sold  the  goods  of  the 
company  to  the  savages,  and  appropriated  the  product 
to  themselves. 

Count.  u  Where  did  you  find  the  packs  of  furs  which 
you  speak  of  having  seized  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  found  nineteen  packs  of  a  prime  article, 
which  had  been  concealed  by  two  of  the  commissioners 
in  a  hut  in  a  Huron  village. 

Count.  "Have  these  commissioners  confessed  that 
these  nineteen  packs  belong  to  them,  and  resulted  from 
their  trade  ? 

La  Motte.  "  They  have  not  only  confessed  the  fact  to 
me,  but  they  signed  a  deposition  to  that  effect,  which  is 
their  own  condemnation. 

Count.  "  Does  it  appear  that  these  furs  are  the  profits 
of  their  own  goods  fraudulently  conveyed,  or  of  the 
goods  of  the  company  ? 

La  Motte.  "  Their  statements  differ  very  much ;  but 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  159 

Fnrs  found  bearing  the  mark  of  M.  Arnaud. 

it  appears  evident  that  the  goods  were  stolen  from  the 
storehouse  of  the  company. 

Count.  "  Is  that  the  only  seizure  you  have  made  ? 

La  Motte.  "There  are  also  four  packs  of  beaver  and 
other  fare,  which  I  seized  even  in  the  storehouse  of  the 
company,  bearing  the  mark  of  M.  Arnaud,  principal 
commissioner. 

Count.  "  How  did  you  discover  the  theft  of  these  four 
packs  in  the  storehouse  ? 

La  Motte.  "  There  were  two  beaver-skins  found  with 
the  mark  of  the  company,  and  the  number  229  upon 
them.  They  had  served  as  an  envelope  for  forty  pre 
pared  roebuck-skins.  The  two  beavers  were  not  yet 
spoiled,  although  they  had  been  thrown  into  a  cellar,  full 
of  water,  belonging  to  an  unoccupied  house.  Finding 
them  in  such  a  place  made  me  suppose  that  the  store 
house  had  been  robbed;  accordingly,  I  went  to  make 
an  examination,  and  found  these  four  packs,  which  M. 
Arnaud  had  concealed.  No  doubt  he  had  also  stolen 
!Nb.  229,  and  many  others. 

Count.  "  Do  you  not  suppose  that  these  commissioners 
have  been  guilty  of  other  embezzlements,  though  these 
are  enough  to  cause  them  to  be  hung  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  know  they  have  stolen  from  the  com 
pany,  or  defrauded  them  of  about  one  hundred  and 
eighteen  packs  of  furs. 


160  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Value  of  the  Furs— Cadillac  informs  against  the  Commissioners. 

Count.  "What!  one  hundred  and  eighteen  packs — 
that  is  a  great  number.  What  would  be  the  probable 
value  of  that  quantity  of  furs  ? 

La  Motte.  "  According  to  my  estimate,  at  the  current 
price,  the  average  value  of  each  pack  would  be  at  least 
forty  crowns.  Hence  the  loss  to  the  company  is  about 
fourteen  thousand  francs. 

Count.  "  No  doubt  you  have  given  information  of  this 
fraud  to  the  proper  authorities,  that  the  evil  might  be 
remedied,  and  the  two  commissioners,  Arnaud  and  No 
lan,  severely  punished. 

La  Motte.  "  I  have  only  too  faithfully  performed  that 
duty ;  it  would  have  been  better  for  me  if  I  had  re 
membered  the  proverb, c  Every  one  must  live,  thieves  as 
well  as  others.' 

"  I  wrote  a  statement  of  the  affair  to  M.  Callieres,  but 
he  died  before  my  letter  reached  Montreal ;  consequent 
ly  it  was  delivered  to  M.  Vaudreuil,  commander-in- 
chief.  At  the  same  time  I  also  sent  a  detailed  account 
to  M.  Lotbinieres,  one  of  the  directors.  In  my  letter,  I 
begged  him  to  send  me  his  orders  concerning  the  affair, 
before  the  departure  of  the  convoy  from  Fort  Pontchar- 
train  for  Montreal;  informing  him  that  if  he  and  the 
commissioners  could  settle  the  matter  between  them,  I 
was  satisfied,  provided  they  shielded  me  from  all  blame. 

Count.  "  But  why  is  it  that  you  did  not  inform  ail  the 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  161 

Orders  of  M.  Vaudreuil — Censured  by  the  Count. 

directors  instead  of  writing  only  to  the  governor-general 
and  M.  Lotbinieres  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  thought  best  to  do  so  for  two  reasons. 
An  officer  being  engaged  in  this  bad  business,  it  seemed 
proper  to  notify  the  governor-general  only,  as  a  mark 
of  deference  to  him ;  and  I  wrote  to  M.  Lotbinieres,  be 
cause  M.  Arnaud,  who  was  the  author  of  all  this  mis 
chief,  is  his  son-in-law. 

Cowiit.  "  I  have  seen  no  reason  to  blame  your  conduct 
until  now ;  but,  as  M.  de  Callieres  was  dead,  and  M.  de 
Yaudreuil,  the  commander-general,  received  your  letter, 
doubtless  he  sent  his  orders  informing  you  what  course 
to  pursue. 

La  Motte.  "  He  wrote  me  not  to  precipitate  matters, 
as  he  wished  first  to  see  the  intendant,  who  was  at 
Quebec. 

Count.  "  M.  Yaudreuil  was  wrong,  for  I  noticed  that 
you  particularly  requested  an  answer  before  the  de 
parture  of  the  convoy  from  Fort  Pontchartrain ;  but  by 
this  reply  you  had  no  guarantee  that  you  would  be  ex 
culpated  by  the  directors.  What  course  did  you  pur 
sue  in  this  dilemma? 

La  Motte.  "  I  was  indeed  very  much ,  embarrassed  by 
the  reception  of  such  an  order.  I  wished  to  obey  it,  yet 
there  were  many  considerations  against  it.  First,  if  I 

deferred  notifying  the  directors  of  the  nefarious  conduct 

11 


162  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Accusation  against  the  Commissioners. 

of  their  commissioners,  by  the  convoy  which  was  to  be 
conducted  by  Nolan  himself,  they  could  not  be  informed 
of  it,  and  obviate  the  difficulty,  till  ten  months  there 
after,  which  would  have  been  so  long  a  delay  that  it 
might  have  proved  a  serious  injury  to  the  company. 
Secondly,  the  wages  of  the  commissioners  being  once 
paid  to  them,  the  company  would  not  be  able  to  obtain 
any  compensation  for  their  losses,  as  both  of  the  com 
missioners  were  insolvent  merchants.  This  would  have 
given  the  directors  just  cause  of  complaint  against  me, 
because  the  contract  declares  that  the  commissioners 
shall  lose  their  wages  if  they  are  detected  in  any  pre 
meditated  fault.  And,  thirdly,  M.  de  Yaudreuil  being 
then  only  commandant,  his  order  was  not  sufficient 
to  release  me  from  my  obligations  to  the  directors, 
who  might  have  sued  me  for  a  breach  of  contract.  I 
accordingly  sent  an  accusation  against  the  commission 
ers  to  all  the  directors,  accompanied  with  vouchers.  It 
would  have  been  better  for  my  own  interests,  if  I  had 
allowed  them  to  pillage  the  storehouse  of  the  company, 
without  saying  a  word  ;  for,  doubtless,  the  directors  kept 
their  relatives  there  for  this  very  purpose. 

"M.  de  Lotbinieres  replied  to  my  letter,  regretting 
the  fault  of  his  son-in-law,  Arnaud,  but  desired  me  to 
pardon  him,  and  he  would  agree  to  settle  all  things  with 
M.  Delino,  in  regard  to  Nolan,  his  brother-in-law,  without 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  163 

Letters  of  Messrs.  Lotbinieres  and  Monseignat. 

any  one  knowing  it.  M.  de  Monseignat,  also  a  brother- 
in-law  of  Arnaud,  wrote  me  in  the  same  style,  but  I  did 
not  receive  their  letters  until  some  time  after  the  convoy, 
by  which  I  had  sent  an  account  of  the  seizure,  had  left 
Detroit" 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

M.  Cadillac's  defense  continued — Count  Pontchartrain  investigates  the 
conduct  of  Cadillac's  accusers — Questions  Cadillac  concerning  the  price 
and  sale  of  goods — Kequires  a  minute  account  of  all  the  circumstances 
which  caused  the  difficulty  between  him  and  the  "Company  of  the 
Colony" — Cadillac  details  facts,  and  gives  explanations  and  argu 
ments — Conduct  of  M.  Denoyer — His  imprisonment  by  Cadillac — M. 
Vincelot  sent  to  Detroit — His  character. 

Count.  "  Explain  to  me  who  are  the  two  commission 
ers,  Arnand  and  Nolan. 

La  Motte.  "  They  are  two  merchants,  who  conducted 
their  business  so  badly,  that  they  became  overwhelmed 
with  debts.  M.  Nolan  is  brother-in-law  of  Messrs.  De- 
lino  and  Lotbinieres.  M.  Lotbinieres  is  the  father-in-law 
of  M.  Arnaud,  and  uncle  of  M.  Yaudreuil,  the  governor- 
general.  M.  Monseignat  is  also  brother-in-law  of  M. 
Arnaud.  Messrs.  Lotbinieres  and  Delino  are  directors, 
and  bosom  friends.  The  first  has  the  full  protection  of 
his  nephew,  the  governor-general,  and  the  second  is 
equally  the  favorite  of  the  intendant,  though  not  related 
to  him.  This,  at  least,  is  public  opinion. 

Count.  "  I  see  that  you  have  been  unfortunately  situ 
ated,  especially  in  your  official  station ;  but  I  am  much 
deceived  if  these  persons  do  not  pay  dearly  for  their 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  165 

Cadillac  accused  of  selling  goods  under  price. 

rashness.  Let  us  investigate  farther.  Who  are  your 
accusers ;  and  of  what  do  they  complain  ? 

La  Motte.  "  The  directors  of  the  company  preferred 
the  complaint;  and  the  very  commissioners  whom  I 
have  convicted  of  fraud  and  embezzlement,  are  their 
principal  witnesses. 

Count.  "Did  the  commissioners  accuse  you  to  the 
governor-general  and  directors  of  any  wrong-doing  be 
fore  you  detected  them  in  their  embezzlements  ? 

La  Motte.  "  None  at  all.  It  was  ten  months  after  I  sent 
the  directors  an  account  of  that  procedure,  signed  by 
themselves,  before  a  complaint  was  preferred  against  me. 

Count.  "That  being  the  case,  their  testimony  is  not 
admissible,  and  ought  at  once  to  be  rejected;  but  I 
would  like  to  know  of  what  the  directors  accuse  you. 

La  Motte.  "  The  first  accusation  is,  that  I  have  com 
pelled  their  commissioners  to  sell  goods  to  the  savages 
under  price,  consequently  at  a  loss,  and  to  the  injury  of 
the  company. 

Count.  "  Have  you  ever  done  this  intentionally  ? 

La  Motte.  "  The  accusation  is  the  greatest  falsehood 
in  the  world,  for,  in  1702,  the  directors,  far  from  com 
plaining  of  me  concerning  the  interests  of  the  company, 
were  perfectly  satisfied.  I  can  prove  this  by  their 
own  writings;  such  proof  it  is  impossible  for  them  to 
deny.  It  is  also  true,  that  they  have  paid  me  my  salary 


166  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Directors  satisfied  till  close  of  1703. 

to  the  end  of  the  year  1703,  which  shows  that  they  were 
satisfied.  The  whole  affair  is  a  trick  of  Messrs.  Lot- 
binieres  and  Delino,  who  govern  the  other  three  direc 
tors.  I  have  convicted  their  near  relatives  of  fraud,  and 
now  they  seek  to  screen  these  friends,  by  destroying  my 
reputation  for  uprightness. 

Count.  "  That,  I  call  sport  unto  the  death ;  but  it  is 
bringing  their  friends  out  of  difficulty  in  a  most  shameful 
way.  Their  injustice  shall  be  punished  as  it  deserves,  if 
you  succeed  in  proving  what  you  have  asserted.  You 
say  that  the  directors  appeared  satisfied  with  your  course 
until  the  close  of  1703  ;  did  you  not  use  coercion  toward 
the  commissioners  in  1704,  and  cause  them  to  sell  goods 
at  low  prices  ?  If  so,  confess  it  frankly,  and  give  your 
reasons  ;  no  doubt  they  were  sufficient  to  justify  you. 

La  Motte.  "  If  I  had  done  so,  I  could  easily  confess  it 
without  running  any  risk,  having  for  a  guarantee  the 
order  of  the  governor-general,  signed  also  by  the  inten- 
dant,  and  even  the  directors.  These  are  the  very  words : 
c  The  commandant  will  leave  to  the  commissioners  of  the 
company  the  liberty  to  traffic  for  furs,  observing  only 
that  this  is  done  according  to  the  orders  of  M.  de  Cal- 
lieres.  He  will  also  prevent  the  sale  of  goods  at  higher 
prices  than  those  decided  upon  by  the  principal  commis 
sioners  of  the  company.'  This  order  was  in  reply  to  a 
paragraph  in  a  long  memorial  presented  to  Messrs.  Yau- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  167 

Orders  of  Governor-general  and  Intendant 

dreuil  and  Beauharnais.  The  following  is  the  substance 
of  the  orders  returned :  c  The  directors  consider  it  ad 
visable  that  the  commissioners  confer  with  the  comman 
dant  on  all  business  of  importance  to  the  interests  of  the 
company;  but  they  think  the  principal  commissioner 
ought  to  decide  in  regard  to  whatever  concerns  the  com 
merce  of  the  company,  according  to  the  orders  which  he 
may  receive  from  the  directors,  or  which  he  may  find 
most  advantageous ;  always  excepting  those  specific  cases 
in  which  the  commandant  has  a  right  to  require  obedi 
ence  to  his  orders.' 

Count.  "  These  orders  of  the  governor-general  and  ih- 
tendant  were  judicious;  otherwise,  no  doubt  the  com 
missioners  would  have  sold  goods  to  the  savages  at  an 
exorbitant  price,  without  troubling  themselves  about 
the  removal  of  the  savages  from  our  interests  to  the 
English.  Have  you  caused  the  sale  of  goods  to  be  con 
tinued  at  the  same  prices  as  those  directed  by  M.  de 
Callieres,  when  you  commenced  the  settlement  at  De 
troit  2 

La  Motte.  "  No.  The  orders  of  M.  de  Callieres  were, 
to  sell  to  the  savages  at  Fort  Frontenac  at  twenty-five 
per  cent.,  and  to  those  at  Detroit  at  fifty  per  cent.  He 
did  this  with  a  design.  On  the  ratification  of  a  general 
peace  between  the  French  and  their  allies,  and  the  Iro- 
quois,  our  savages  would,  .at  once,  think  of  the  commerce. 


168  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Extract  of  letter  from  M.  Vaudreuil. 

and  to  retain  them  still  in  our  interest,  it  would  be  policy 
to  give  them  goods  at  reasonable  prices.  Messrs.  Yau- 
dreuil  and  Beauhamais,  from  the  orders  they  have  given, 
seem  to  be  of  the  same  opinion.  Even  the  company,  in 
writing  to  their  commissioners,  acknowledge  that  they 
cannot  disapprove  of  the  course  which  I  have  sought  to 
have  them  pursue. 

"  The  last  letter  of  M.  de  Yaudreuil,  dated  April  24th, 
1704,  contains  these  words :  '  Although  I  directed  you, 
sir,  to  allow  M.  Denoyer  to  execute  the  orders  which  he 
had  recently  received  from  the  directors,  I  always  sup 
posed  that,  in  consequence  of  the  contract,  the  service  of 
the  king  would  not  be  affected  by  them,  I  will  now  say 
to  you,  sir,  that  in  some  circumstances  it  would  not  be 
bad  policy  to  sell  goods  even  at  the  old  rates.  Endeavor 
to  manage  as  well  as  possible  for  the  interests  of  the 
company.' 

Count.  "  With  the  orders  that  you  have  received,  to 
gether  with  the  letters  of  the  directors,  you  certainly 
cannot  be  accused  of  using  violence,  even  if  you  have 
caused  these  orders  to  be  obeyed  to  the  letter. 

La  JIbtte.  "  Perhaps  you  will  rather  think  me  repre 
hensible  for  allowing  the  commissioners  to  add  so  much 
to  the  wealth  of  the  company.  Instead  of  selling  their 
goods  according  to  the  orders  of  M.  de  Callieres,  con 
firmed  by  those  of  M.  de  Yaudreuil,  at  the  rate  of  fifty 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  169 

Prices  of  goods— Cadillac  censured. 

per  cent.,  the  powder  of  the  company  has  been  sold  at 
four  hundred  per  cent. ;  balls,  at  six  hundred  per  cent. ; 
tobacco,  at  three  hundred;  vermilion,  glass  beads,  cut 
lery,  iron-ware,  and  old  iron,  at  two  hundred ;  no  kind 
of  goods  has  been  sold  at  less  than  one  hundred  per  cent., 
the  whole  tariff  of  prices  being  regulated  by  the  price  of 
furs  at  Quebec,  which  the  directors  send  to  me  as  well 
as  to  the  commissioners. 

Count.  "  You  surprise  me !  I  cannot  help  blaming 
you  for  allowing  the  commissioners  to  sell  their  goods  to 
our  savages  at  such  exorbitant  prices;  especially  at  a 
time  when  we  need  to  conciliate  them,  on  account  of  our 
war  with  the  English.  I  fear  this  conduct  of  the  com 
pany  will  lead  the  savages  to  commit  some  act  of  re 
venge  against  the  colony. 

La  Mottc.  "  You  ought  rather  to  blame  the  governor- 
general  and  intendant,  who,  forgetful  of  their  own  orders, 
have  done  much  more  for  the  company  than  they  could 
expect  me  to  do  in  such  a  troublesome  juncture,  hav 
ing  allowed  the  commissioners  to  continue  to  vex  me  by 
such  prices,  even  when  they  knew  that  the  English  had 
sent  necklaces  to  the  savages  at  Fort  Pontchartrain,  with 
a  tariff  of  their  prices,  in  which  they  offered  to  sell  goods 
to  our  savages  two-thirds  less  than  our  commissioners 
sell  them. 

Count.  "  The  company  having  sold  their  goods  at  such 


170  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Losses  of  the  Company— Bad  management. 

exorbitant  prices,  have,  no  doubt,  derived  great  profits 
from  the  commerce  of  that  post. 

La  Motte.  "  On  the  contrary,  they  have  lost.  The 
directors  have  conducted  the  business  of  the  company 
very  badly,  not  knowing  how  to  manage  the  commerce 
of  that  country.  They  have  also  incurred  incredible  ex 
penses  in  order  to  favor  their  relatives  and  friends,  and 
gain  credit  to  themselves.  Then,  the  price  of  certain 
furs  has  diminished  every  year,  though  this  is  an  event 
attendant  on  all  trade,  and  one  that  cannot  be  foreseen 
and  avoided.  And,  finally,  the  commissioners,  relatives 
of  the  directors,  and  protected  by  them,  have  levied 
largely  on  the  supplies  of  the  storehouse.  Who  knows 
how  much  has  been  plundered  ? 

"  Messrs.  Lotbinieres  and  Delino  have  instituted  pro 
ceedings  against  me,  to  enable  them  to  impeach  my 
testimony  against  them  and  their  relatives.  They 
are  pretending  to  investigate  the  affair  concerning 
their  commissioners,  and  have  chosen  a  deputy  to 
go  to  Detroit,  and  collect  testimony  against  them,  or, 
rather,  against  me ;  their  design  being  to  extricate  them 
selves  and  their  relatives  from  this  difficulty,  by  im 
posing  on  me  atrocious  calumnies  which  they  cannot 
prove. 

Count,  v  Whom  have  they  sent  to  Detroit  to  make  this 
investigation  ? 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  171 


M.  Vincelot  sent  to  Detroit. 


La  Motte.  "  His  name  is  Vincelot.  He  was  proposed 
bj  the  directors,  and  deputed  by  the  intendant.  He 
sprang  from  a  degraded  race,  and  is  a  man  of  no  ability. 
He  is  cousin-german  to  M.  Pinard,  one  of  the  directors, 
and,  consequently,  my  adversary.  This  fact  nullifies  the 
procedure,  making  it  illegal. 

Count.  "  No  doubt  your  detection  of  those  embezzle 
ments  is  indeed  the  true  cause  of  the  procedure,  and  M. 
de  Yaudreuil,  finding  himself  involved  in  the  affair,  is 
quite  willing  it  should  turn  thus ;  but,  if  you  have  done 
your  duty  as  a  good  officer  and  an  honest  man,  you  must 
not  suffer  for  your  faithfulness.  Have  you  any  writing 
to  show  that  you  have  not  used  violence  toward  the  com 
missioners?  I  have  thoughts  of  prosecuting  both  the 
directors  and  commissioners. 

La  Motte.  "  I  have  an  agreement,  made  with  the  com 
missioners,  signed  by  them,  by  the  chaplain  of  the  fort, 
by  M.  de  Tonti,  and  myself,  which  proves  conclusively 
that  I  have  used  no  violence. 

Count.  "  What  other  accusations  do  they  bring  ? 

La  Motte.  "  They  accuse  me  of  a  capital  crime.  They 
say  I  have  used  abusive  words  toward  their  commission 
ers,  because  they  did  not  render  me  certain  acts  of  re 
spect,  which  I  pretended  were  my  due. 

Count.  "  I  do  not  understand  that ;  could  the  directors 
doubt  that  their  commissioners  owed  you  the  highest  re- 


172  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Farther  charges — Denoyer  and  Radisson. 


spect  in  a  place  where  you  are  commandant,  by  the 
authority  of  the  king  ? 

La  Matte.  "  They  doubt  it  so  much,  that  they  have 
preferred  this  charge.  It  is  true  that  I  have  sometimes 
reproved  their  commissioners,  but  it  has  been  when  I 
have  surprised  them  in  flagrant  offenses ;  as  when  I  con 
victed  them  of  embezzlement. 

"  The  third  charge  is,  that,  M.  Denoyer  having  been 
sent  to  fill  the  place  of  their  principal  commissioner, 
on  his  arrival  at  Fort  Pontchartrain,  I  detained  him 
more  than  two  hours  in  my  room,  while  I  read  and 
declaimed  against  the  letters  which  he  had  brought  from 
the  directors,  in  order  that  M.  Radisson,  the  former  prin 
cipal  commissioner,  might  have  time  to  conceal  the 
papers  which  he  and  I  did  not  wish  to  have  seen.  { By 
this  means,'  they  say,  c  the  directors  have  not  been  able 
to  obtain  the  necessary  information  concerning  the  state 
of  their  affairs.' 

"  The  facts  are  simply  these  :  M.  Denoyer,  having  de 
livered  to  me  the  letters  which  the  governor-general,  in- 
tendant,  directors,  and  private  individuals  had  written, 
I  invited  him  to  take  breakfast,  while  I  was  occupied  in 
their  perusal,  and  he  accepted  the  invitation.  The  let 
ters  were  long — that  of  the  directors  covering  fourteen 
pages — and  I  was  engaged  more  than  half  an  hour  in 
reading  them.  As  soon  as  I  had  finished,  I  assured  this 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  173 

Interview  with  M.  Denoyer— Concealed  Papers. 

new  commissioner  of  all  the  protection  he  might  need  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties.  I  also  informed  him,  that  it 
would  be  proper  for  him  to  execute  the  orders  with 
which  he  was  charged,  as  quietly  as  possible,  on  account 
of  the  savages.  I  told  him  they  had  never  yet  seen  seals 
set  upon  coffers,  closets,  and  caskets,  nor  even  upon  the 
doors  of  the  storehouse,  nor  had  they  ever  seen  a  guard 
placed  there.  They  would  consider  such  things  an  in 
fringement  of  the  liberty  which  is  so  precious  among 
these  nations.  I  then  dismissed  M.  Denoyer  to  execute 
his  orders.  He  hastened  to  the  house  of  M.  Radisson, 
whom  he  found  conversing  with  Messrs.  Chatellerault  and 
Demeule,  two  other  commissioners  who  had  come  in  the 
same  boat  with  M.  Denoyer,  and  who  were  relatives 
of  Messrs.  Delino  and  Lotbinieres. 

Count.  "  Then  it  is  not  true  that  M.  Radisson  had  con 
cealed  any  papers  ? 

La  Motte.  "I  have  no  knowledge  of  his  doing  so. 
M.  Radisson  maintains  that  it  is  all  an  imposition  of  M. 
Denoyer.  It  is  true  that  neither  he  nor  the  directors 
have  been  able  to  prove  it.  But  even  if  M.  Radisson 
had  concealed  any  papers,  what  right  have  the  directors 
to  accuse  me  of  connivance  with  this  commissioner  ? 

"  The  fourth  accusation  is,  that,  the  directors  having 
accused  M.  Radisson  of  misconduct  in  regard  to  the  in 
terests  of  the  company,  I  have  become  his  protector, 


174  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN". 

Cadillac,  Kadisson,  and  the  Savages. 

causing  the  savages  to  demand  the  dismissal  of  M.  De 
noyer,  and  the  reinstatement  of  M.  Radisson.  They  also 
say  that  I  have  instructed  the  savages  to  ask  that  my 
wife,  and  the  wife  of  M.  Radisson,  be  permitted  to  re 
main  at  Detroit,  hoping,  by  this  means,  to  secure  my 
own  and  M.  Radisson's  return  to  that  post.  What  sem 
blance  of  truth  can  they  present  for  the  assertion  that  I 
have  influenced  the  savages  to  demand  the  dismissal  of 
M.  Denoyer  in  favor  of  M.  Radisson,  when  the  directors 
acknowledge  that  I  am  not  satisfied  with  the  latter  ?  It 
is  certain  that  M.  Denoyer,  whom  I  had  only  known 
three  days,  during  which  he  had  enjoyed  my  hospitality, 
could  not  in  that  time  have  done  or  said  any  thing  to 
seriously  displease  me.  It  is  an  absurd  subterfuge  to  say 
that  the  savages  demanded  his  dismissal  so  soon  after 
his  arrival.  Equally  ridiculous  is  the  assertion  of  the 
directors,  that  I  influenced  the  savages  to  ask  that  my 
wife,  and  the  wife  of  M.  Radisson,  might  remain  at  the 
fort,  to  secure  our  return.  There  might  be  some  degree 
of  probability  in  such  an  assertion,  if  I  had  received  any 
orders  from  the  governor-general,  or  the  Count,  to  leave 
the  post ;  or  even  if  I  had  been  ordered  to  descend  to 
Quebec  or  Montreal,  to  render  an  account  of  my  conduct. 
On  the  contrary,  when  I  asked  permission  to  go  to  Mon 
treal,  on  my  own  business,  M.  Vaudreuil  granted  my 
request,  at  the  same  time  expressing  his  approbation  of 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  175 

Testimony  of  Savages  not  admissible. 

my  conduct.  My  arrest,  soon  after  my  arrival,  was  en 
tirely  unexpected  to  me. 

Count.  "I  should  judge,  from  your  account  of  the 
affair,  that  the  directors,  failing  to  find  other  proof  suf 
ficient  to  condemn  you,  now  seek  it  among  the  pagan 
savages.  I  believe  such  testimony  has  never  been  re 
ceived  in  a  court  of  justice. 

La  Motte.  "  How  could  a  judge  allow  the  testimony 
of  a  people  who  have  neither  faith  nor  law ;  who  will 
testify  to  any  thing,  provided  they  are  paid  for  it ;  and 
will  unsay  the  same  thing  in  half  an  hour,  if,  for  the 
service,  they  can  be  baptized  in  a  drink  of  brandy  ? 

Count.  "  Is  that  all  the  directors  have  to  say  in  ref 
erence  to  the  savages  ? 

La  Motte.  "  "No.  They  assert  that  I  have  influenced 
the  savages  to  object  to  the  removal  of  the  furs  from 
the  fort,  until  the  storehouse  was  filled  with  merchan 
dise,  and  all  the  French  had  the  liberty  to  traffic  with 
them.  The  directors  say  my  object  was  to  compel  the 
company  to  make  large  imports  of  merchandise  to 
that  post,  of  which  I  intended  to  make  myself  master, 
as  usual. 

Count.  "  Did  the  savages  really  make  any  such  de 
mand,  and  for  what  reason  ? 

La  Motte.  "  Soon  after  the  arrival  of  M.  Denoyer,  and 
the  two  commissioners  who  came  with  him,  they  mali- 


176  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Goods  of  the  Company  appropriated. 


ciously  made  the  savages  understand  that  they  came  to 
send  away  the  furs,  and  did  not  intend  to  bring  any 
more  merchandise.  This  offended  the  savages,  who  had 
always  been  promised  the  rights  of  an  extensive  com 
merce,  by  the  establishment  of  Detroit.  In  this  course 
of  conduct,  no  doubt  the  commissioners  obeyed  the  secret 
orders  they  had  received  from  those  under  whose  author 
ity  they  were  sent  out. 

Count.  "  But  what  do  the  directors  mean  when  they 
assert  that  your  object  has  been  to  cause  them  to  make 
large  importations  to  that  post,  in  order  that  you  might 
become  master  of  them,  as  usual  ? 

La  Motte.  "  Who  can  divine  what  they  mean  ?  If  I 
had  appropriated  their  goods  to  myself,  or  wasted  them, 
these  charges  would  be  well  founded ;  but  even  they  do 
not  accuse  me  of  this.  What  difference  would  it  make 
to  me  whether  the  company  made  large  or  small  impor 
tations,  since  I  had  no  interest  in  them?  On  the  con 
trary,  if  I  were  trading  on  my  own  responsibility,  as 
they  have  dared  to  assert,  it  would  have  been  better  for 
me  that  they  should  send  only  a  few  goods,  as  it  would 
enable  me  to  sell  mine  (if  I  had  any)  more  advantage 
ously  and  easily. 

Count.  "  Is  there  any  really  substantial  article  in  the 
accusations  of  the  directors  ? 

La  Motte.   "They  exclaim  loudly   against  my  pre- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  177 

Arrest  and  imprisonment  of  M.  Denoyer. 

sumption  in  imprisoning  M.  Denoyer,  their  principal 
commissioner,  who  was  sent  to  succeed  M.  Radisson. 
They  recalled  M.  Radisson  because  I  accused  him  of 
misconduct.  Yet  the  directors  say  this  accusation  was 
made  by  me  with  his  consent,  to  cover  our  mutual  em 
bezzlements.  Would  M.  Radisson  consent  that  I  should 
prefer  an  accusation  against  him,  that  would  revoke  his 
office,  which  was  worth  to  him  eighteen  hundred  francs 
a  year  besides  his  expenses ;  thus  involving  him  in  the 
loss  of  his  wages,  a  sullied  reputation,  and  the  difficulties 
and  expenses  of  a  lawsuit?  I  leave  it  to  the  judgment 
of  infants. 

Cownt.  "  It  appears  as  you  say ;  but  let  me  understand 
about  the  imprisonment  of  M.  Denoyer.  First,  let  me 
inquire  if  you  were  forbidden  to  imprison,  or  if  you  had 
the  power  to  inflict  this  punishment  upon  the  officers  and 
others  at  your  post  ? 

La  Motte.  u  My  powers  were  very  ample.  They  gave 
me  authority  to  punish,  according  to  the  circumstances, 
by  reprimand,  arrest,  imprisonment,  suspension,  or,  in 
case  of  a  clear,  positive  disobedience  to  orders,  to  run 
my  sword  through  the  body  of  the  offender.  This  extent 
of  power  has  been  given  me  on  account  of  the  great  dis 
tance  of  chat  post  from  the  seat  of  government,  and  it 
has  enabled  me  to  immediately  suppress  all  seditions  and 

factions. 

12 


178  EAELY  HISTOKY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Cause  of  the  Arrest — Insubordination. 

Count.  "  Now  tell  me  why  you  were  obliged  to  im 
prison  M.  Denoyer,  the  principal  commissioner  ? 

La  Motte.  "A  soldier  of  the  garrison  having  been 
killed  by  some  of  our  enemies,  our  savages  reported 
that  they  had  found  the  stake  to  which  he  was  tied.  A 
party  of  one  hundred  savages  of  the  different  nations 
living  around  the  fort,  was  immediately  formed  to  pur 
sue  the  enemy,  and  avenge  the  death  of  the  soldier. 
They  came  to  me,  and  demanded  seven  or  eight  French 
men  to  go  with  them.  I  ordered  M.  de  Tonti  to  assem 
ble  the  temporary  servants  of  the  company,  and  call  for 
volunteers.  From  them  he  was  to  select  eight  good 
men,  and  give  them  food  and  ammunition  from  the 
storehouse  of  the  company,  as  had  been  customary.  M. 
Denoyer  pretended  that  I  could  not  take  any  detach 
ment  from  the  servants  of  the  company,  even  for  the  ser 
vice  of  the  king,  without  his  permission.  He  forbade 
their  leaving  the  fort,  without  first  asking  him.  c  Thia 
should  be  so,  or  he  would  burn  his  books.'  The  Cana 
dians,  who  had  been  drafted,  were  pledged  to  the  service 
of  the  company ;  they,  therefore,  informed  M.  de  Tonti 
of  the  orders  of  the  commissioner,  and  he  brought  the 
complaint  to  me.  I  immediately  sent  for  the  Canadians, 
and,  having  taken  their  several  depositions  in  the  pres 
ence  of  witnesses,  I  sent  for  M.  Denoyer.  I  asked  him 
if  he  pretended  that  I  could  not  draft  the  servants  of  the 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  170 


Insolence  of  M.  Denoyer. 


company  for  the  service  of  the  king,  without  his  permis 
sion.  He  had  the  impertinence  to  maintain  to  my  face, 
M.  de  Tonti  being  present,  that  he  did  so  pretend ;  and 
asserted  that  he  did  not  now  believe  I  had  the  power. 
This  reply,  made  with  all  possible  arrogance,  obliged 
me  to  send  him  to  prison.  Therefore,  I  said  to  him :  c  I 
will  teach  you,  little  commissioner,  to  neglect  your  own 
duty  and  act  the  seditious,  by  attempting  to  alienate 
other  minds  from  obedience.' 

Coimt.  "Is  it  possible  that  this  commissioner  dared 
show  such  insolence ;  and  that  a  seditious  person  is  so  far 
protected  by  the  company,  that  they  even  wish  to  accuse 
you  of  a  crime  for  inflicting  so  slight  a  punishment?  If 
you  had  done  otherwise,  you  would  have  deserved  to 
suffer  the  penalty  of  military  law.  There  is  nothing  so 
injurious,  as  to  allow  a  revolt  to  go  unchecked  at  its 
commencement;  and  it  is  of  great  importance  that  a 
commandant  be  very  watchful,  and  that  he  do  not  permit 
the  authority  of  the  king  to  be  in  any  degree  diminished. 
Has  the  governor-general  received  full  information  of  all 
this  ?  It  seems  incredible  that  he  should  allow  it.  How 
long  did  you  keep  this  commissioner  in  confinement  ? 

La  Mbtte.  "  Soon  after  my  arrival  at  Montreal,  I  ren 
dered  to  the  governor-general  a  very  exact  account  of 
the  whole  transaction.  Some  time  afterward,  he  knew 
that  the  directors  had  preferred  this  charge,  among 


186  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Directors  and  Commissioners. 

structions  and  maintained  strict  integrity.  Have  you 
any  thing  to  say  against  the  proceedings  of  M.  Yincelot, 
who  was  delegated  by  the  intendant  to  investigate  your 
affairs  at  Detroit  ? 

La  Motte.  "  M.  Yincelot  is  cousin-german  to  M.  Pi- 
naud,  one  of  the  directors,  who  is  my  enemy ;  this  is  suf 
ficient  to  make  the  whole  proceeding  absolutely  null  and 
void.  Then  the  governor-general  sent  M.  Louvigny,  an 
officer  of  Quebec,  and  brother-in-law  of  M.  Nolan,  under 
the  specious  pretext  of  commanding  the  convoy  to  De 
troit  ;  though  the  real  object  was  to  aid  M.  Yincelot  in 
his  efforts  against  me,  hoping  that  their  united  influence 
might  effect  the  abandonment  of  the  post.  It  is  also 
necessary  for  me  to  say  that,  when  Messrs.  Arnaud  and 
Nolan  were  recalled,  their  places  were  filled  by  two 
other  relatives,  Messrs.  Chatellerault  and  Demeulle. 

Count.  "  Pray,  stop ;  I  shall  soon  believe  that  all  who 
are  in  the  employ  of  the  company  at  Detroit,  and  wish 
to  retain  you  at  Quebec,  are  the  relatives  of  the  three 
directors,  and  also  allied  to  the  governor-general." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Cadillac's  defense  continued — He  gives  his  reasons  for  appealing  to  a 
higher  court — Narrates  the  measures  taken  to  secure  the  destruc 
tion  of  Detroit — Offer  of  a  pension  to  M.  Tonti — Government  sends 
M.  Decouverte  to  the  Ottawas  and  Miamis  with  goods — M.  Mantet 
sent  with  presents  and  necklaces— M.  Vincennes  sent  to  the  Miarnis 
with  three  canoes  loaded  with  goods — Ruin  of  Detroit  determined  at 
Quebec — Fort  at  Detroit  set  on  fire — Church,  house  of  the  Recollets, 
and  dwelling  of  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  burned — All  the  provisions  of 
the  fort  consumed — Generosity  of  the  savages — Miamis  attack  the 
Detroit  savages — M.  Cadillac  negotiates  a  peace  between  the  several 
nations — War-party  of  the  Illinois  made  prisoners  by  the  French — 
Brought  to  the  fort — Whipped  with  rods — Ottawas  of  Michilimackinac 
remove  to  Detroit — Sixty  Ottawas  make  a  descent  upon  the  Iroquois 
at  Fort  Frontenac — Paganism  of  the  savages. 

Ccnmt.  "  What  were  your  reasons  for  bringing  your 
cause  before  a  higher  court  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  have  taken  exceptions  to  the  intendant, 
because,  upon  the  complaint  of  the  directors,  without 
proof,  he  caused  me  to  be  arrested  at  Quebec,  thus  pre 
venting  my  return  to  Fort  Pontchartrain ;  a  proceeding 
contrary  to  law,  and  a  manifest  act  of  violence,  which 
proves  him  my  adversary.  He  cannot  pass  sentence 
where  he  has  no  legal  power  to  judge.  Holding  my 
authority  directly  from  the  king,  and  having  always  had 
the  power  to  imprison  or  otherwise  punish  offenders,  dur- 


182  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN-. 


Frequency  of  Revolts — Twelve  years'  Service. 


ly  his  duty  to  ask  permission  for  this  boat  to  descend 
to  Montreal.  This  contempt  of  my  orders,  together  with 
the  fact  that  they  had  not,  since  their  arrival,  paid  me 
the  customary  visit  of  respect  always  considered  due  the 
commandant  of  a  fortified  town,  especially  so  at  these  re 
mote  posts,  caused  me  to  perceive  the  intrigue  between 
these  commissioners.  The  order  that  no  one  shall  leave 
the  post  without  permission,  is  necessary  to  prevent  the 
embezzlements  that  might  otherwise  be  made. 

Count.  "  Are  factions  and  revolts  frequent  in  that 
country  ?  Have  you  a  good  garrison  ?  You  ought,  at 
least,  to  have  a  hundred  tried  soldiers  at  your  fort. 

La  Jfotfo.  "The  preceding  year,  the  commissioners 
and  temporaiy  servants  of  the  company  revolted  against 
M.  de  Tonti,  who  commanded  during  my  absence,  and 
he  permitted  the  sedition  to  go  unpunished ;  and  proba 
bly  these  new  ones  thought  I  would  not  dare  to  punish 
them.  There  is  not  another  commandant  in  that  coun 
try  who  has  not  experienced  very  strong  rebellions. 
During  the  twelve  years  that  I  have  commanded  in  that 
region,  no  open  rebellion  has  occurred.  The  beginning 
of  a  revolt  has  been  checked  by  the  immediate  punish 
ment  of  the  instigator,  for  which  I  have  always,  till  now, 
been  commended.  As  for  the  garrison,  the  governor- 
general,  intendant,  and  directors,  have  done  so  well  by 
their  treatment  of  the  soldiers,  that  they  have  reduced 


EAKLY  HISTOKY  OF  MICHIGAN.  183 

Treatment  of  the  Soldiers — Company's  Servants. 

the  number  to  fourteen.  They  are  treated  like  galley- 
slaves.  For  three  years  past  they  have  received  neither 
clothes  nor  pay. 

Count.  "  At  the  time  of  the  meeting  at  Quebec,  were 
not  the  temporary  servants  of  the  company  more  numer 
ous  than  your  garrison  ? 

La  Motte.  "  Yes ;  there  were  at  that  time  thirty  ser 
vants  of  the  company,  who  might  have  raised  a  sedition 
that  would  have  been  serious  in  its  consequences,  if  they 
had  been  disposed  to  second  the  movements  of  the  com 
missioners.  The  directors  say  that  these  acts  of  violence 
— for  so  they  designate  the  punishment  which  I  inflicted 
upon  their  commissioners — prove  that  I  have  interests 
separate  from  those  of  the  company,  and  for  this  reason 
they  are  opposed  to  my  return  to  Fort  Pontchartrain. 
They  even  objected  to  my  remaining  at  Montreal,  at  the 
time  of  the  departure  of  the  convoy  for  that  post,  lest 
I  might  have  some  communication  with  those  going 
thither,  and  inspire  them  with  opinions  contrary  to  the 
interests  of  the  company. 

Count.  "  Have  they  demanded  any  thing  more  ? 

La  Motte.  "Yes;  they  ask  that  I  be  ordered  to  re 
main  at  Quebec,  to  reply  to  any  accusations  which  they 
may  hereafter  bring  against  me.  Finally,  they  have 
concluded  to  hold  me  responsible  for  all  the  harm  that 
has  befallen  the  company.  They  have  obtained  the  con- 


184:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Cadillac's  vouchers — Absurdity  of  Charges  against  him. 

sent  of  the  intendant  to  grant  them  a  hearing,  and  he 
has  commanded  me  to  remain  in  Quebec  till  farther 
orders. 

Coimt.  "  Strange  that  they  should  inform  against  you 
upon  points  which  can  be  vindicated  immediately.  I  see, 
by  your  account,  that  you  have  vouchers  for  your  con 
duct  in  every  thing  that  affects  the  interests  of  the  com 
pany.  Indeed,  I  know  they  were  satisfied  with  your 
conduct  until  the  close  of  1703.  This  is  also  fully  evi 
dent  from  the  fact  that  they  have  paid  you  four  thousand 
francs  for  your  services.  Doubtless,  the  directors  have 
preferred  these  charges  against  you*  to  retaliate  for  the 
information  you  gave  against  the  two  commissioners, 
Arnaud  and  Nolan,  their  relatives.  But  it  is  absurd 
that  they  should  inform  against  a  commandant  for  an 
act  of  imprisonment,  when  he  holds  the  full  power  to  in 
flict  that  punishment,  especially  when  the  offense  tends 
to  rebellion.  It  cannot  be  that  the  intendant  has  con 
sented  to  grant  their  request  ? 

La  Motte.  "  On  the  contrary,  he  has  permitted  the 
directors  to  institute  a  complaint  against  me,  on  every 
head  contained  in  their  memorial,  and  ordered  a  copy 
to  be  transmitted  to  me,  that  I  might  prepare  myself  to 
answer.  He  has  also  requested  M.  Ramesay,  comman 
dant  at  Quebec,  to  require  me  to  remain  in  that  city  till 
I  had  given  satisfaction  to  the  directors. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  185 

Illegal  arrest— Official  intrigue. 

Count.  "  It  appears,  from  this,  that  the  intendant  has 
issued  orders  for  your  arrest,  on  a  mere  complaint,  with 
out  any  legal  process.  Has  M.  Ramesay  really  caused 
you  to  be  arrested  on  this  requisition  of  the  intendant  ? 

La  Motte.  "  He  has ;  though  not  without  first  repeat 
edly  informing  the  intendant  that  he  could  see  nothing 
in  the  memorial  of  the  directors,  but  a  mere  complaint 
without  any  proof;  therefore,  he  did  not  believe  he 
ought  to  arrest  an  officer  holding  his  commission  from 
the  king  himself,  and  especially  the  commandant  at  Fort 
Pontchartrain,  a  distant  post  established  at  the  head  of 
the  colony.  He  also  wrote  to  the  governor-general  con 
cerning  the  affair.  In  reply,  the  governor-general  in 
formed  him  that  he  had  done  right  in  executing  the 
order  of  the  intendant  and  ordering  my  arrest. 

Count.  "  I  no  longer  doubt  that  the  governor-general, 
intendant,  and  directors,  have  connived  together,  their 
object  being  to  save  the  two  commissioners,  at  the 
expense  of  your  reputation,  and  to  overthrow  the  estab 
lishment  at  Detroit,  by  depriving  you  of  the  com 
mand.  All  things  at  that  post  would  then  be  under  the 
undisputed  management  of  the  Jesuits,  who,  it  is  re 
ported,  really  possess  all  the  authority  in  the  govern 
ment,  and  in  the  administration  of  justice.  Do  not  be 
discouraged ;  if  your  statements  are  true,  which  I  do  not 
doubt,  you  shall  not  suffer  for  having  obeyed  my  in- 


186  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Directors  and  Commissioners. 

structions  and  maintained  strict  integrity.  Have  you 
any  thing  to  say  against  the  proceedings  of  M.  Vincelot, 
who  was  delegated  by  the  intendant  to  investigate  your 
affairs  at  Detroit? 

La  -Motte.  "  M.  Yincelot  is  cousin-german  to  M.  Pi- 
naud,  one  of  the  directors,  who  is  my  enemy ;  this  is  suf 
ficient  to  make  the  whole  proceeding  absolutely  null  and 
void.  Then  the  governor-general  sent  M.  Louvigny,  an 
officer  of  Quebec,  and  brother-in-law  of  M.  Nolan,  under 
the  specious  pretext  of  commanding  the  convoy  to  De 
troit  ;  though  the  real  object  was  to  aid  M.  Yincelot  in 
his  efforts  against  me,  hoping  that  their  united  influence 
might  effect  the  abandonment  of  the  post.  It  is  also 
necessary  for  me  to  say  that,  when  Messrs.  Arnaud  and 
Nolan  were  recalled,  their  places  were  filled  by  two 
other  relatives,  Messrs.  Chatellerault  and  Demeulle. 

Count.  "  Pray,  stop ;  I  shall  soon  believe  that  all  who 
are  in  the  employ  of  the  company  at  Detroit,  and  wish 
to  retain  you  at  Quebec,  are  the  relatives  of  the  three 
directors,  and  also  allied  to  the  governor-general." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Cadillac's  defense  continued — He  gives  his  reasons  for  appealing  to  a 
higher  court — Narrates  the  measures  taken  to  secure  the  destruc 
tion  of  Detroit — Offer  of  a  pension  to  M.  Tonti — Government  sends 
M.  Decouverte  to  the  Ottawas  and  Miamis  with  goods — M.  Mantet 
sent  with  presents  and  necklaces — M.  Vincennes  sent  to  the  Miarnis 
with  three  canoes  loaded  with  goods — Euin  of  Detroit  determined  at 
Quebec — Fort  at  Detroit  set  on  fire — Church,  house  of  the  Recollets, 
and  dwelling  of  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac  burned — All  the  provisions  of 
the  fort  consumed — Generosity  of  the  savages — Miamis  attack  the 
Detroit  savages — M.  Cadillac  negotiates  a  peace  between  the  several 
nations — War-party  of  the  Illinois  made  prisoners  by  the  French — 
Brought  to  the  fort — Whipped  with  rods— Ottawas  of  Michilimackinac 
remove  to  Detroit — Sixty  Ottawas  make  a  descent  upon  the  Iroquois 
at  Fort  Frontenac — Paganism  of  the  savages. 

Cowit.  "  What  were  your  reasons  for  bringing  your 
cause  before  a  higher  court  ? 

La  Motte.  "  I  have  taken  exceptions  to  the  intendant, 
because,  upon  the  complaint  of  the  directors,  without 
proof,  he  caused  me  to  be  arrested  at  Quebec,  thus  pre 
venting  my  return  to  Fort  Pontchartrain ;  a  proceeding 
contrary  to  law,  and  a  manifest  act  of  violence,  which 
proves  him  my  adversary.  He  cannot  pass  sentence 
where  he  has  no  legal  power  to  judge.  Holding  my 
authority  directly  from  the  king,  and  having  always  had 
the  power  to  imprison  or  otherwise  punish  offenders,  dur- 


188  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Furs  mortgaged  to  ihe  Intendant. 

ing  the  twelve  years  that  I  have  commanded  the  posts 
in  that  distant  region,  for  which  I  was  never  before  in 
formed  against,  I  consider  myself  amenable  only  to  the 
governor-general  and  the  court. 

"  The  intendant  having  lent  the  directors  considerable 
sums  by  orders  on  the  Exchequer,  the  furs  at  Detroit  are 
mortgaged  to  him,  he  being  surety  to  the  office  of  the 
Exchequer  for  the  sums  lent.  Therefore,  the  surety  is  no 
less  interested  than  the  creditor  in  preserving  the  prop 
erty  of  the  debtor.  The  testimony  of  the  intendant  is 
quite  necessary  to  me,  as  he  possesses  private  knowledge 
which  would  be  unfavorable  to  the  directors. 

"  I  have  also  objected  to  M.  Yaudreuil,  because  M.  Lot- 
binieres,  first  director  of  the  company,  is  his  uncle,  and 
father-in-law  of  M.  Arnaud,  one  of  the  commissioners 
convicted  of  embezzlement.  Also,  because  Messrs.  Yau- 
dreuil  and  Lotbinieres,  especially  the  first,  have  letters 
concerning  those  embezzlements,  which  they  will  sur 
render  only  by  the  orders  of  a  superior.  I  have  pro 
tested  against  the  procedure  of  M.  Yincelot,  because  he 
is  a  man  of  no  character  or  ability.  His  parents  were 
people  of  bad  reputation.  Besides,  the  testimony  of  M. 
Yincelot  is  objectionable,  as  he  is  cousin-german  to  M. 
Pinaud,  one  of  the  directors. 

"  Finally,  I  have  appealed  to  a  higher  power  on  account 
of  the  plot  between  the  governor-general,  intendant,  di- 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  189 

Arnaud  and  Nolan  sent  to  Michilimackinac. 

rectors  of  the  company,  and  the  Jesuits.  They  were  un 
able  to  overthrow  the  establishment  while  I  remained 
there,  and  no  doubt  they  believed  that,  by  causing  me 
to  be  detained  here  as  prisoner,  under  these  diabolical 
pretexts,  they  would  succeed  in  shielding  their  guilty 
relatives,  by  preferring  against  me  the  same  accusation 
of  which  I  convicted  them. 

"  Having  been  unable,  with  all  their  authority,  to 
prove  any  thing  against  me,  and  thus  consummate  their 
plans,  they  have  sent  M.  Louvigny,  major  of  Quebec, 
to  Detroit,  to  corrupt  the  savages,  and  cause  them  to 
take  part  against  me.  M.  Louvigny  himself  has  been 
convicted,  by  the  sovereign  council,  of  commercial  trans 
actions,  and  of  contravening  the  orders  of  the  king. 

"The  commissioners,  Arnaud  and  Nolan,  having 
accused  me  to  the  directors,  left  Quebec  as  soon  as 
they  heard  of  my  arrival  at  Montreal.  The  directors 
sent  them  to  Michilimackinac  in  a  boat,  belonging  to 
the  Jesuit  Fathers,  heavily  loaded  with  goods.  By  this 
means,  an  opportunity  was  afforded  to  M.  Arnaud  to 
bring  his  beaver  and  other  furs  from  Michilimackinac, 
whither  he  had  transported  them,  after  having  stolen 
them  from  the  storehouse  of  the  company  at  Detroit. 
These  peltries  were  in  the  house  of  one  of  the  Jesuit 
•Fathers  at  Michilimackinac,  which  proves  the  protection 
extended  by  the  governor-general,  the  Jesuits,  and  di- 


190  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Witnesses  sent  to  the  Outawa  country. 

rectors,  to  these  commissioners.  I  spoke  of  it  one  day 
to  the  governor-general,  who  replied  that  'the  com 
missioners  had  gone  to  Michilimackinac  without  his 
knowledge,  the  Jesuits  having  said  nothing  to  him 
about  it.' 

"Nearly  all  the  witnesses  who  deposed  at  Detroit 
concerning  the  dishonesty  of  the  commissioners,  having 
arrived  at  Montreal,  were  immediately  sent  to  the  coun 
try  of  the  Outawas,  charged  with  goods,  to  prevent  the 
confrontations  and  proofs.  The  depositions  of  all  those 
who  have  accused  me,  having  been  taken,  they  also  have 
been  sent  to  the  Outawas.  In  the  mean  time  I  am  per 
secuted,  imprisoned,  and  deprived  of  the  little  property 
I  possessed.  All  this  is  done  to  gain  time,  in  which  to 
effect  the  overthrow  of  Detroit.  They  also  wish  to  annoy 
me,  and  make  me  ask  their  pardon,  and  beg  for  mercy. 
But  I  will  do  no  such  thing.  I  await  your  judgment 
and  that  of  the  king.  I  wish  to  have  this  affair  fully  in 
vestigated.  They  have  attacked  my  reputation,  and  I 
demand  satisfaction.  I  have  served  the  king  with  indus 
try,  zeal,  and  assiduity,  in  proof  of  which  I  have  many 
certificates.  All  the  letters  of  my  superiors  are  full  of 
expressions  of  satisfaction  in  regard  to  my  conduct  and 
services. 

Count.  "Will  you  now  inform  me,  minutely,  concern 
ing  the  measures  that  have  been  taken  for  the  destruc- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  191 

Treatment  of  M.  Tonti— Private  contract. 

tion  of  Detroit?  Speak  plainly,  and  be  assured  of  my 
protection,  provided  you  accuse  justly,  and  alter  the 
truth  in  nothing. 

La  Motte.  "  I  will  not  depart  from  this  principle.  My 
patroness  is  Truth,  and  I  believe  myself  invincible  while 
I  fight  under  her  banner.  I  will  simply  give  you  the 
facts,  and  you  may  draw  your  own  inferences ;  the  pub 
lic  have  drawn  theirs. 

"Last  year  M.  de  Tonti,  having  descended  from  De 
troit  to  Montreal  and  Quebec,  found  himself  denounced, 
with  the  commissioners  of  the  company,  for  trade  and 
embezzlement.  Far  from  punishing  him,  the  directors 
have  sent  him  back  again  to  Detroit,  finding  him  a  good 
instrument  to  use  secretly  against  me,  and  against  that 
post.  As  an  additional  encouragement,  they  gave  him 
a  pension  of  six  hundred  francs  a  year,  by  contract,  un 
der  private  seal.  The  understanding  was,  that  he  should 
send  his  wife  back  to  Montreal,  as  a  means  of  making 
the  savages  believe  that  they  intended  to  abandon  De 
troit.  As  soon  as  I  heard  of  it,  I  proposed  to  send  my 
family  to  Quebec  or  Montreal,  for  the  same  sum;  but 
they  would  not  listen  to  it.  I  did  this  to  try  them. 

"  At  the  time  of  M.  Tonti's  return,  they  sent  M.  Mantet 
to  Michilimackinac,  with  two  canoes  loaded  with  goods 
and  brandy,  under  the  pretext  of  conveying  thither  the 
amnesty.  Yet  he  departed  for  the  Outawas  six  or  seven 


192  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

M.  Mantel— Goods  sent  to  Michilimackinac. 

weeks  before  the  arrival  of  the  vessels  that  brought  the 
news  of  the  said  amnesty.  They  also  sent  M.  Decouverte 
to  the  Outawas  and  Miamis,  with  two  canoes  loaded  with 
goods  and  brandy,  under  pretext  of  settling  some  differ 
ences  between  our  allies. 

"According  to  the  confession  of  M.  Yaudreuil,  M. 
Mantet  was  charged  with  presents  and  necklaces  to  set 
tle  these  difficulties.  It  is  therefore  evident  that  the 
mission  of  M.  Decouverte  to  the  Miamis  has  only  been 
to  prevent  that  nation  from  coming  to  settle  at  Detroit, 
and,  in  case  of  ill  success,  to  create  disturbance. 

"  M.  Yincennes  was  also  sent  to  the  Miamis,  with  or 
ders  to  go  by  the  way  of  Detroit,  being  really  sent  to 
M.  Tonti.  He  had  three  canoes  loaded  with  goods,  and 
more  than  four  hundred  quarts  of  brandy.  His  pretext 
was,  that  he  was  going  to  terminate  the  war  commenced 
by  the  Miamis  at  Ouyatanon,  against  the  nations  settled 
at  Detroit,  and  against  the  Iroquois.  This  war  was  al 
ready  ended,  and  the  governor-general  and  intendant 
were  so  informed.  Besides,  it  would  be  strange  to  send 
an  ensign  ad  honores  to  settle  difficulties  between  nations 
at  a  distant  post,  where  there  was  already  a  commandant 
appointed  by  the  court. 

"  When  I  questioned  M.  Yincennes  concerning  his  er 
rand,  he  told  me  that  the  governor-general  had  an  in 
terest  in  the  goods  which  he  carried.  I  mentioned  this 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  193 


Father  Mares t— Euin  of  Detroit. 


to  M.  Vaudreuil,  who  replied  that  he  would  discharge 
J/.  VincenneS)  as  he  had  only  given  him  permission  to 
take  two  canoes. 

"  Father  Marest,  Superior  of  Michilimackinac,  and  of 
all  the  missions  to  the  Outawas,  M.  Tonti,  captain  at  De 
troit,  and  M.  Mantet,  met  at  Quebec ;  and  it  was  there 
and  then  that  the  ruin  of  Detroit  was  determined  upon 
by  the  Superior  of  the  Jesuits  at  Quebec,  the  governor- 
general,  intendant,  and  directors.  To  effect  this,  they 
decided  to  issue  permits,  and  re-establish  the  mission  at 
Michilimackinac.  That  their  plans  might  not  fail,  Father 
Marest  returned  with  a  boat-load  of  goods.  M.  Mantet 
accompanied  him  with  two  other  boats,  and  M.  Tonti 
went  with  them  as  far  as  Detroit. 

"  M.  Callieres  had  made  an  arrangement,  to  which  the 
Superior  of  Quebec  had  subscribed,  fixing  the  destina 
tion  of  Father  Marest  at  Detroit;  yet  the  governor- 
general  and  intendant  wrote  me  that  they  could  not  pre 
vent  his  return  to  Michilimackinac,  c  for  several  strong 
reasons.'  Thus  you  perceive  that  Father  Marest  has  had 
permission  to  take  one  boat-load  of  goods  to  Michili 
mackinac,  thus  preventing  the  savages  from  coming  to 
Detroit  to  trade. 

"M.  Mantet  has  taken  two  boats,  M.  Decouverte  two,, 
M.  Yincennes  three,  and  M.  Boudor  one.  M.  Boudor 
has  the  savages  quite  at  his  disposal,  and  has  carried. 

13 


194  EARLY   HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Outawas  supplied  with  Goods  and  Brandy. 

into  the  country  of  the  Outawas  more  than  twenty  thou 
sand  francs'  worth  of  goods  and  brandies. 

"M.  Tonti  has  also  been  well  paid.  He  has  sent 
three  boat-loads  of  goods  to  the  Outawas,  where  they 
have  been  sold  for  his  benefit.  Twelve  boat-loads  of 
goods  have  been  sent  to  the  Outawas,  beside  large  quan 
tities  carried  thither  by  the  savages.  It  is  true  that  per 
mission  has  been  given,  under  pretense  of  their  going  to 
the  Illinois,  who  are  too  far  distant  to  come  to  us ;  but 
it  was  only  a  pretense. 

"  Orders  were,  some  time  since,  issued  by  government, 
forbidding  any  one  in  all  the  colonies  to  sell  brandy  to 
the  savages,  under  any  circumstances  whatever ;  and  the 
penalties  attached  to  the  law  were  inflicted  with  all  pos 
sible  severity.  While  they  punish  with  rigor  all  viola 
tions  of  this  ordinance  at  any  of  the  posts,  they  allow 
great  quantities  of  brandy  to  be  carried  into  the  depths 
of  the  forests — and  the  Jesuits  do  not  complain  of  it. 
They  now  maintain  a  strict  silence  on  the  subject, 
after  having  made  so  much  noise  about  it  in  the  days  of 
Count  Frontenac  and  M.  de  Callieres.  They  did  not  then 
so  rule  the  country. 

"  The  fort  at  Detroit  has  been  partially  burned.  The 
fire  was  the  work  of  an  incendiary.  It  was  set  in  a 
barn,  which  was  filled  with  Indian  corn  and  other  grains. 
This  barn  was  flanked  by  two  of  the  bastions. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  195 


Fort  at  Detroit  fired— Eepaired. 


"The  flames  being  increased  by  a  high  wind,  the 
church,  the  house  of  the  Eecollets,  M .  Tonti's  house,  and 
my  own,  were  all  consumed.  My  loss  was  about  four 
hundred  pistoles.  I  might  have  saved  my  house,  if  I 
would  have  allowed  the  storehouse  of  the  company  and 
the  property  of  the  king  to  burn.  I  had  one  hand  se 
verely  burned,  and  lost  most  of  my  papers. 

"  The  fort  was  repaired  in  two  or  three  days,  all  the 
savages  assisting  me  with  the  best  possible  grace.  They 
also  manifested  their  generous  feelings  toward  me  on  this 
occasion.  Having  lost  all  my  own  provisions,  and  the 
supplies  of  the  garrison  and  of  the  servants  of  the  com 
pany,  the  savages  made  to  me,  personally,  a  present  of  a 
hundred  bushels  of  corn.  They  also  furnished  all  the 
grain  necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  the  garrison,  at  the 
usual  prices,  taking  no  advantage  of  our  necessities. 
The  garrison  of  one  hundred  men  that  was  given  me  in 
1701,  had  become  reduced,  at  that  time,  to  fourteen,  so 
that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  guard  all  the  fort ;  in 
deed,  I  could  fully  protect  only  two  of  the  bastions,  and 
that  with  much  fatigue  to  the  soldiers.  Having  received 
neither  clothing  nor  pay  for  three  years,  they  were  also 
much  discouraged.  One  of  the  soldiers  fired  upon  the 
savage  who  set  fire  to  the  barn ;  but  we  could  not  learn 
who  he  was,  nor  have  we  since  been  able  to  obtain  any 
definite  information  concerning  him.  All  the  nations 


196  EARLY    HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Miamis  attack  Detroit— Flag  of  Truce. 

settled  around  Detroit  aver  that  it  must  have  been  a 
foreign  savage,  or  some  Frenchmen  who  will  be  well 
paid  for  committing  the  deed. 

"Soon  after  the  attempt  to  burn  the  fort,  the  Miamis  of 
Ouyatanon  came  to  Detroit,  and  made  an  attack  on  the 
savages  there.  They  killed  an  Outawa,  two  Hurons,  and 
a  Pottawatomie.  This  act  of  hostility  exasperated  all 
the  nations  at  Fort  Pontchartrairi,  and  warlike  prepara 
tions  were  immediately  made.  I  succeeded  in  persuading 
them  to  wait  a  few  days,  and  then  dispatched  a  messen 
ger  to  the  camp  of  the  Otiyatanons,  who  were  four  hun 
dred  strong,  telling  them  if  they  did  not  come  promptly 
and  make  reparation  for  this  insult,  I  would  go  myself 
and  exterminate  them  ;  but,  if  they  would  come,  I  would 
send  them  a  white  flag  for  their  protection.  They  im 
mediately  sent  their  chiefs  to  Detroit,  replaced  the  dead 
with  the  living,  according  to  their  custom,  and  made 
large  presents  to  the  relatives  of  those  who  were  killed. 
Thus  a  bloody  war  was  prevented.  Father  Mermet, 
Jesuit,  is  missionary  to  the  Ouyatanon  Miamis.  This 
attack  was  made  after  the  Miamis  of  the  river  St.  Jo 
seph  had  left  their  villages  to  come  and  settle  at  Detroit. 

"  About  the  same  time  that  the  Otiyatanons  attacked 
Detroit,  the  Illinois  also  sent  thither  a  war-party  of 
fifteen  persons.  They  were  discovered  and  made  pris 
oners. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  197 

Prisoners  whipped  by  the  French — Outawa  chief. 

"  When  they  were  brought  to  the  fort,  the  French  con 
tented  themselves  with  whipping  the  prisoners  with 
small  rods,  giving  them  to  understand  that  I  treated 
them  as  a  father,  preserving  to  them  the  lives  which 
they  deserved  to  lose.  I  then  sent  four  of  them  back  to 
their  tribe,  with  the  demand  that  some  of  the  principal 
chiefs  should  come  and  give  their  reasons  for  presuming 
to  make  war  against  the  nations  of  Detroit.  They  were 
so  much  intimidated  by  this,  that  a  treaty  of  peace  was 
easily  concluded,  which  still  continues. 

"  The  Illinois  stated  that  Elouaousse,  one  of  the  chiefs 
of  the  Outawas,  had  been  sent  to  their  country,  to  per 
suade  them  to  engage  in  a  war  against  his  own  nation  at 
Detroit.  He  had  induced  these  fifteen  young  men  to 
join  him,  and  they  departed  on  the  expedition  without 
the  knowledge  of  the  old  men  of  the  nation,  who  would 
have  nothing  to  do  with  the  affair. 

"  Father  Gravier  is  missionary  to  the  Illinois,  and  M. 
Delieta,  a  relative  of  M.  Tonti,  also  resides  there.  Prob 
ably  their  design  in  instigating  the  destruction  of  the  na 
tion  of  Detroit,  by  the  Illinois  and  Miamis,  was  to  cause 
the  savages  to  retire  to  Michilimackinac  to  avoid  the 
war.  The  Illinois  who  are  not  boatmen,  would  not  be 
able  to  cross  the  straits  which  unite  Lake  Huron  with 
the  Lake  of  the  Illinois.  Elouaousse,  of  whom  I  spoke, 
did  not  leave  Michilimackinac  for  the  Illinois  till  some 


198  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Hurons — Ou:a\vas— Memorial  of  Jesuits. 

time  after  the  arrival  of  Father  Marest  and  M.  Mantet. 
The  few  Hurons  who  remained  at  Michilimackinac,  have 
left  that  place,  and  joined  those  at  Detroit.  All  that  na 
tion  are  now  established  there.  I  had  the  honor  to  assure 
you,  by  letter,  last  year,  that  this  would  be  so  in  spite 
of  the  declarations  to  the  contrary,  made  by  the  famous 
Father  Carheil,  their  missionary. 

"The  Outawas  of  Michilimackinac,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  seventy  or  eighty,  have  also  come  to  Detroit. 
This  transmigration  has  surprised  the  whole  body  of 
the  Jesuits  in  that  country.  They  did  not  expect  it. 
The  governor-general  and  intendant  were  quite  unpre 
pared  for  such  intelligence,  as  they  had  placed  full  con 
fidence  in  Messrs.  Mantet  and  Decouverte ;  and  espe 
cially  in  the  representations  of  Rev.  Fathers  Marest  and 
Carheil. 

"  Last  year  I  had  the  honor  to  send  you  a  copy  of  a 
memorial  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers,  particularly  of  those  of 
Michilimackinac,  in  which  they  intimated  to  me  that  if 
the  savages  came  to  Detroit,  they  would  follow.  The 
savages  have  come,  but  the  Fathers  remain  immovable 
in  their  parishes. 

"Sixty  warriors  of  the  Outawas,  who  still  remained 
at  Michilimackinac,  made  a  descent  upon  the  Iroquois, 
and  surprised  and  captured  nearly  forty  of  them,  under 
the  very  walls  of  Fort  Frontenac.  Having  killed  one 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  199 

Sixty  Outawas  attack  the  Iroquois. 

of  the  Iroquois,  they  placed  a  Huron  tomahawk  upon 
his  body,  to  signify  that  he  must  have  been  killed  by 
some  of  the  Hurons  of  Detroit.  The  Outawas  could 
not  reach  the  villages  of  the  Iroquois  by  the  usual 
route,  without  passing  Detroit,  where  they  would  be 
opposed  by  the  nations  dwelling  there ;  so  they  crossed 
over  to  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  descended  to 
Fort  Frontenac. 

"It  is  not  at  all  probable  that  sixty  men  would  have 
had  the  boldness  to  declare  war  against  the  five  nations 
of  the  Iroquois,  unless  instigated  to  such  an  act  by  those 
whom  they  considered  wiser  than  themselves.  Probably 
the  motive  presented,  was  the  hope  of  the  re-establish 
ment  of  Michilimackinac,  by  depopulating  Detroit.  The 
instigators  knew  very  well  that  Detroit  could  not  sus 
tain  itself  against  the  hordes  of  the  Iroquois,  without  a 
strong  French  garrison,  and  that  the  savages  would 
very  naturally  return  to  their  old  hunting-grounds,  to 
escape  the  dreaded  Iroquois.  This  event  occurred  after 
my  descent  to  Quebec,  and  while  I  was  detained  there 
a  prisoner.  Soon  after  the  attack,  M.  Mantet  arrived 
at  Montreal;  and  fifteen  days  after,  M.  Decouverte 
came  also.  Both  brought  a  number  of  boats  loaded 
with  beaver  and  other  furs — the  recompense  for  such  a 
fine  errand. 

"  M.  Vincennes  is  now  actually  at  Detroit,  with  four 


200  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN". 

Payment  of  an  Envoy — New  interpreter. 

hundred  quarts  of  brandy,  and  is  keeping  a  public  house. 
He  was  the  precursor  of  M.  Louvigny,  major  of  Quebec, 
and  of  M.  Vincelot,  sent  by  the  intendant  to  obtain  evi 
dence  against  me.  In  corrupting  the  savages,  brandy 
has  not  been  spared. 

"  The  directors  have  paid  M.  Louvigny  two  thousand 
francs  for  making  this  journey,  which  occupied  him  only 
fifty-five  days.  An  officer  was  never  before  known  to 
receive  pay  for  escorting  an  envoy.  M.  Vincelot  has 
also  received  the  sum  of  one  thousand  francs  for  the  voy 
age.  He  returned  with  M.  Louvigny.  See  the  gener 
osity  of  the  directors,  at  a  time  when  the  company  is 
overwhelmed  with  debt,  and  the  colony  in  the  greatest 
distress,  and  without  resources ! 

"  The  interpreter  sent  by  M.  Callieres  to  Detroit,  was 
M.  Champigny.  He  has  been  withdrawn,  because  he 
was  an  honest,  able  man.  They  have  put  in  his  place  a 
man  named  Kivan,  who  does  not  understand  the  Outawa 
language,  of  which  he  is  the  interpreter — but  he  is  a 
brother-in-law  of  M.  Yaudreuil. 

"  The  Outawas  accused  Quarante  Sous,  a  chief  of  the 
Hurons,  of  having  told  them  that  it  was  I  who  had  in 
stigated  the  demand  for  the  dismissal  of  M.  Denoyer. 
Quarante  Sous  denied  it,  and  asserted,  in  the  presence  of 
M.  Louvigny,  M.  Yincelot,  and  all  the  French,  that  the 
accusation  was  false— that  I  had  never  spoken  to  him  of 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  201 

QuaiMnte  Sous — Oath  administered  to  Savages. 

M.  Denoyer.  'I  do  not  understand  the  language  of 
M.  la  Motte,'  said  he,  c  neither  does  M.  la  Motte  under 
stand  mine,  and  where  is  the  interpreter?'  The  Outa- 
was  hung  their  heads,  and  confessed  that  they  knew 
nothing  about  it.  All  of  my  witnesses  from  Detroit, 
said  boldly  that  every  thing  had  been  done  to  intimi 
date  them,  yet  they  all  testified  decidedly  in  favor  of  my 
acquittal. 

"  In  taking  the  testimony  of  the  Outawas,  M.  Yincelot 
made  them  raise  the  hand  and  take  an  oath  that,  by 
their  hopes  of  Paradise,  they  would  speak  the  truth. 
Such  a  thing  was  never  before  known  among  the  Outa 
was.  I  would  be  willing  to  stake  my  life  against  the 
production  of  one  previous  example.  They  would  as 
soon  raise  the  foot  as  the  hand  ;  and  would  be  baptized 
a  hundred  times  a  day  for  a  hundred  drinks  of  brandy. 
We  may  infer  the  value  of  their  oath.  It  is  an  indis 
putable  fact,  that  there  is  no  wigwam  without  its  divin 
ity—as  the  eagle,  the  serpent,  the  bear,  and  many  other 
animals — to  whom  they  sacrifice  in  their  necessities, 
especially  in  times  of  war  and  sickness.  The  only  good 
that  the  missionaries  do,  consists  in  the  baptism  of  chil 
dren  who  die  after  having  received  it,  and  perchance 
administering  the  same  rite  to  some  old  man  at  the  houi 
of  death. 

"  What  officer  would  command  in  that  country,  if  the 


202  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Martial  feast  at  Fort  Frontenac. 

testimony  of  the  savages  was  received  in  the  courts  of 
law  ?  It  would  have  been  more  prudent  for  M.  Yaudreuil 
to  recall  me  at  once,  if  he  wished  to  destroy  this  post 
and  protect  his  relatives  in  their  dishonesty,  than  to 
proceed  in  this  manner ;  because,  hereafter,  the  savages 
will  have  neither  respect  nor  fear  for  the  commanding 
officers. 

"  M.  Yaudreuil  has  not  been  sufficiently  cautious ;  he 
has  not  foreseen  the  consequences  of  this  affair,  nor  the 
severe  blow  which  his  conduct  gives  to  the  authority  of 
the  king.  Messrs.  Frontenac  and  Callieres  would  not 
have  made  such  a  mistake. 

"  M.  Lacorne,  lieutenant  of  the  troops,  whom  the  gov 
ernor-general  has  appointed  to  the  command  at  Fort 
Frontenac,  made  a  martial  feast  to  the  Iroquois;  put 
the  hatchet  into  their  hands,  and  directed  them  to  go 
and  make  war  against  the  nations  at  Detroit.  He  is  a 
good  officer  and  understands  the  colonial  service,  and 
would  never  have  declared  war  against  the  savages  at 
Detroit,  without  orders  from  the  governor-general,  either 
verbal  or  written. 

"  This  last  attempt  to  destroy  that  post  is  outrageous, 
and  proves,  too  well,  that  the  war  which  the  Illinois  and 
Ouyatanons  had  commenced  against  our  savages,  and 
the  attack  of  the  sixty  Outawas  from  Michilimackinac 
upon  the  Iroquois,  and  M.  Lacorne's  declaration  of  war, 


EARLY   HISTOEY   OF   MICHIGAN.  203 

M.  Yaudreuil's  illegal  Traffic— Land  leased. 

all  emanated  from  the  same  scmrce.  The  only  evidence 
we  had  of  the  instigation  of  the  Jesuits  in  the  other  diffi 
culties,  was  the  word  of  the  savages ;  but  M.  Lacorne's 
proceedings  unravel  the  mystery. 

"M.  Yaudreuil  himself,  has  sent  an  Outawa  named 
Sans  Souci,  formerly  a  soldier  under  his  command,  to 
Michilimacldnac,  with  two  canoes,  loaded  with  seven 
or  eight  thousand  francs  worth  of  goods  and  brandy, 
under  pretense  of  bringing  Ouendigo,  a  savage  belong 
ing  at  Michilimackinac.  If  this  sort  of  pretext  is 
good  to  cover  an  illegal  traffic,  there  was  no  need  of 
suppressing  the  permits.  Can  any  one  doubt  that  Sans 
Souci  is  interested  with  the  governor-general  in  this 
commerce  ? 

"  M.  St.  Germain  has  leased  M.  Yaudreuil's  grant  of 
land,  and  gives  him  for  it  three  thousand  francs  a 
year,  besides  having  built  a  house,  which  is  to  become 
the  property  of  M.  Yaudreuil  when  the  lease  expires. 
There  is  not  more  than,  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  the 
land  broken  up ;  therefore,  the  tenant  must  of  necessity 
traffic  with  the  Indians,  otherwise  he  could  not  pay 
so  large  a  rent,  or  build  so  good  a  house,  for  the 
benefit  of  M.  Yaudreuil.  Indeed,  it  is  notorious  that  M. 
St.  Germain  has  earned  his  beaver  to  the  English,  and  it 
is  a  greater  vexation  to  the  neighboring  inhabitants,  who 
are  forbidden  to  make  any  trade  with  the  savages. 


204:  EAELY  HISTOEY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Beaver  brought  by  M.  Decouverte. 

"  M.  Decouverte,  on  his  return  from  the  country  of 
the  Outawas,  brought  with  him  beaver  to  the  amount  of 
six  thousand  francs,  as  any  one  may  see  at  the  office 
of  Eeceipt.  Of  this,  M.  Yaudreuil  has  received  a  thou 
sand  crowns." 


•/'icar  General   Siilpitian. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Disaffection  of  the  Iroquois  toward  Detroit — Detroit  Indians  invited  by 
the  English  to  Albany,  in  1703 — Eeturn  disaffected  toward  the  French 
— Firing  of  the  fort — The  consequences — Letter  from  Father  Marest, 
at  Michilimackinac — Additional  account  of  the  difficulties  with  the 
Indians — Fears  for  the  safety  of  the  French — M.  Chartier  resolves  to 
leave  the  mission-house  at  St.  Ignace,  and  go  alone  to  Fort  Michili 
mackinac — Prevented  by  the  offer  of  Merasilla,  an  Outawa-Sinago — • 
He  assures  the  missionary  of  his  own  safety — Asks  a  flag  and  letters 
to  the  French  at  Michilimackinac— Three  Frenchmen  return  with 
him — Michilimackinac  more  securely  fortified — M.  Arnaud  makes 
presents  to  the  savages — The  old  men  in  council  disapprove  of  the 
conduct  of  their  tribe  in  going  to  Detroit — Great  anxiety  about  the 
missionaries  at  St.  Joseph — Friendship  of  Koutaouiliboe — Onaske" 
sends  an  apology  to  the  governor-general  for  his  seeming  remissness 
in  duty  to  the  French — Savages  returned  from  Detroit  report  two 
Frenchmen  killed,  one  a  Kecollet  priest. 

THE  settlement  of  Detroit  in  1701,  called  forth  the  re 
monstrances  of  the  Iroquois,  which  were  entirely  un 
heeded  by  the  French.  Disaffection  on  the  part  of  that 
powerful  confederacy  of  nations  was  the  consequence, 
though  they  still  continued  to  observe  the  conditions  of 
the  treaty  made  at  Montreal  the  previous  year. 

In  1702,  war  was  declared  against  France  by  England, 
Germany,  and  Holland.  This  renewal  of  hostilities  had 
no  perceptible  effect  upon  the  colonies  in  America,  until 
the  following  year,  1703.  In  the  summer  of  that  year, 


206  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Indians  inviied  to  Albany— Disaffection. 

the  Indian  nations  in  the  vicinity  of  Detroit  were  invited 
by  the  English  to  Albany,  and  a  number  of  the  chiefs 
of  the  Outawas  accepted  the  invitation.  They  returned 
disaifected  toward  the  French,  having  been  induced  to 
believe  that  the  post  at  Detroit  was  established  for  the 
purpose  of  effecting  their  subjugation. 

The  firing  of  the  fort,  soon  after  their  return,  and  be 
fore  M.  la  Motte's  departure  for  Montreal,  was,  no  doubt, 
an  outburst  of  their  aroused  indignation ;  and  the  subse 
quent  attacks  upon  Fort  Pontchartrain,  during  his  pro 
longed  absence,  by  the  Miamis  of  Ouyatanon,  and  the 
Outawas  of  Michilimackinac,  are  no  doubt  traceable  to 
English  as  well  as  Jesuitical  influence. 

In  addition  to  the  account  of  these  difficulties,  given 
by  M.  la  Motte  to  Count  Pontchartrain,  is  the  following 
letter,  written  by  Eev.  Father  Marest,  missionary  at 
Michilimackinac,  to  the  governor-general :  • 

"  MICHILIMACKINAC,  August  14.  1706. 
"J.  M.  J.  :- 

"  MOXSIEUK  : — I  did  myself  the  honor  to  write  you,  by 
Toupikanich,  concerning  the  bad  news  we  hadvheard  from 
Detroit,  that  a  war  had  broken  out  between  the  liurons, 
Miamis,  and  Outawas.  At  the  time  I  wrote,  we  were 
ignorant  of  the  fate  of  the  French  at  Detroit,  and  also  at 
Michilimackinac. 

"  The  savages  whom  we  sent  to  Michilimackinac,  re- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  207 

Letter  of  Eev.  Father  Marest— M.  Chartier. 

turned  after  going  almost  to  the  very  gates  of  the  fort, 
without  bringing  us  any  assurance  of  the  safety  of  the 
French. 

"  M.  Chartier,  though  he  had  cause  to  fear  the  savages 
at  Michilimackinac,  on  account  of  some  captives  who 
were  there,  was  the  first  to  offer  to  go  on  this  hazardous 
mission,  saying  che  was  ashamed  to  remain,  and  rely 
solely  on  the  reports  of  the  savages,  for  every  one  knew 
that  they  always  mix  the  false  with  the  true  in  any  news 
they  undertook  to  report.' 

"  But  an  opportunity  was  providentially  afforded  us  of 
learning  all  we  wished  to  know,  without  incurring  any 
risk.  Merasilla,  an  Outawa-Sinago,  who  was  going  to 
Detroit  with  the  people  of  Toupikanich  to  avenge  the 
death  of  his  brother,  who  was  killed  the  day  after  he 
was  made  chief,  and  by  this  means  restore  the  name  of 
Kischkouch,  when  he  heard  that  we  intended  to  go  to 
Michilimackinac,  begged  of  us  to  ask  the  savages  to  re 
lease  him,  that  he  might  accompany  us  thither.  The 
savages  granted  our  request,  but  reproached  him  with 
having  no  love  for  his  brother.  But,  nothing  daunted, 
he  requested  an  interview  with  M.  Menard  and  myself. 

"  The  parley  took  place  the  next  morning,  which  hap 
pened  to  be  St.  Ignace'  day,  after  mass  had  been  said  for 
that  saint.  All  the  French  who  wished,  were  permitted 
to  be  present. 


208  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Merasilla  an  Outawa-Sinago. 

"  "No  one  could  have  spoken  in  a  more  engaging,  sen 
sible  manner,  than  did  Merasilla.  He  said  there  really 
was  cause  to  fear  for  us,  and  for  the  French  at  Michili- 
mackinac ;  but  he  hoped  to  be  able  to  relieve  all  the 
French  from  any  trouble  they  might  be  in.  He  re 
quested  us  to  give  him  a  flag,  and  a  letter  to  the  French ; 
these  would  be  sufficient  evidence  to  them  that  he  had 
not  come  to  imbrue  his  hands  in  their  blood.  He  said, 
if  he  found  the  French  at  Michilimackinac  still  alive, 
and  desirous  to  revenge  themselves  upon  their  enemies, 
if  all  things  were  favorable  to  such  an  attempt,  he  would 
return  immediately  with  the  letter  which  the  French 
would  undoubtedly  send  in  answer  to  ours.  If  he  found 
that  the  French  had  already  been  massacred,  without 
allowing  the  savages  there  to  suspect  that  he  had  seen 
us,  he  would  come  with  the  utmost  dispatch  and  warn 
us,  that  we  might  retire  to  a  place  of  safety ;  and  if  there 
were  any  immediate  danger  of  an  attack  upon  us,  he 
would  aid  us  in  defending  ourselves. 

"  You  may  judge  how  gladly  his  proposition  was  re 
ceived,  though  it  is  always  said  that  a  man  risks  his  life, 
if  he  trusts  to  the  fidelity  of  a  savage.  But  we  made 
him  such  promises,  in  our  own  name  and  in  yours,  that 
the  hope  of  reward  was  to  him  a  very  strong  induce 
ment  to  keep  his  word.  We  told  him  that  as  soon  as  he 
returned,  we  would  recompense  him  abundantly,  whether 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  209 

Hostages — French  give  presents  to  Merasilla. 

the  condition  of  things  were  good  or  bad,  and  that  we 
would  inform  you  of  the  essential  service  he  had  ren 
dered  us,  and  you  would  never  forget  it. 

"  To  give  us  every  possible  assurance  of  his  fidelity, 
Merasilla  left  his  whole  family  with  us  as  hostages,  and 
with  only  three  savages,  departed  in  a  canoe  for  Michili- 
mackinac.  He  executed  his  commission  with  the  utmost 
secrecy.  He  said  nothing  to  the  savages,  nor  to  the 
French,  except  to  the  one  to  whom  he  gave  the  letter, 
until  after  he  was  fully  informed  of  the  state  of  aifairs. 
All  the  French  at  Michilimackinac  greatly  admired  his 
judicious  conduct.  On  his  return  to  the  mission,  each 
of  the  Frenchmen  there  made  him  a  present  to  the  value 
of  four  beavers ;  for  which  it  is  but  just  that  the  king 
should  remunerate  us,  as  it  is  in  his  service  that  we  are 
exposed  to  so  many  dangers.  You  will  greatly  oblige 
all  of  us,  myself  in  particular,  if  you  will  also  recompense 
him  liberally.  He  will  then  feel,  that  to  render  good 
service  to  the  French  who  are  under  your  orders,  and 
especially  to  a  missionary,  is  a  matter  of  some  im 
portance. 

"Three  Frenchmen  returned  with  Merasilla  from 
Michilimackinac,  who  informed  us  it  was  not  without 
reason  that  we  had  been  told  that  we  risked  much  in  at 
tempting  to  go  to  Michilimackinac.  For  eight  days  the 

occupants  of  that  post  had  been  as  if  the  tomahawk  were 

14 


210  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Imminent  danger— Outawas  go  10  Detroit 


suspended  over  their  heads.  Two  of  the  principal  wo 
men  in  the  village,  who  had  always  until  then  appeared 
very  friendly  to  the  French,  went  weeping  from  hut  to 
hut,  demanding  the  death  of  the  French  who  had  killed 
their  brother.  Three  or  four  times  the  French  had  been 
obliged  to  make  presents  to  the  Indians,  who  considered 
these  gifts  as  a  kind  of  contribution,  or  honest  plunder. 
They  had  also  been  obliged  to  sell  goods  to  the  savages 
at  their  own  price.  But,  since  the  last  news  from  De 
troit,  by  which  it  appeared  that  the  French  there  had 
not  shared  in  the  second  attack  made  on  the  Outawas, 
affairs  at  Michilimackinac  had  been  more  quiet. 

"  The  day  before  the  Frenchmen  left  Michilimackinac 
to  come  to  us,  all  the  Outawas  in  the  village,  about  one 
hundred  and  sixty  in  number,  including  those  who 
came  to  invite  them,  started  for  Detroit.  If  the  French 
there  should  take  any  part  in  the  difficulties  between 
the  different  tribes,  there  would  be  more  reason  than 
ever  to  fear  for  the  safety  of  the  French  at  Michili 
mackinac. 

"  Notwithstanding  this  news,  we  all  resolved  to  pro 
ceed  together  to  Michilimackinac.  For  my  own  part,  I 
considered  it  quite  as  safe  to  risk  being  detained  as  a 
hostage  by  the  savages,  as  to  incur  their  displeasure, 
which  I  should  most  certainly  do  if  I  attempted  to  go  to 
Montreal.  Besides,  I  believed  that  my  presence  would 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  211 

French  fortify  Michilimackinac. 

serve  as  a  restraint  upon  the  savages,  and  thus  be  some 
security  to  the  French. 

"  On  our  arrival  at  Michilimackinac,  on  the  9th  of 
August,  every  one  seemed  rejoiced.  The  savages  de 
clared  that  they  were  now  convinced  that  their  father 
Onontio  would  not  abandon  them  ;  that  whatever  might 
happen  at  Detroit,  the  French  would  always  be  secure 
here.  Indeed,  they  said  they  did  not  believe  Onontio 
had  any  thing  to  do  with  the  affair  at  Detroit,  since, 
though  he  had  knowledge  of  it,  he  had  sent  them  good 
promises,  and  the  missionary  had  returned  to  them,  in 
spite  of  all  the  dangers  of  the  way. 

"  The  French  have  been  actively  engaged  in  fortifying 
this  establishment  for  the  safety  of  themselves  and  their 
effects,  as  no  one  can  depend  on  the  word  of  the  savages, 
since  the  chiefs,  however  good  their  intentions,  are  not 
masters.  For  our  better  security,  M.  Arnaud  has  found 
it  necessary  to  make  presents  to  all  the  savages.  In  this 
he  has  acted  for  the  public  good,  and  deserves  to  be  re 
paid.  He  will  present  his  bill  to  yourself  and  the  in- 
tendant.  You  are  not  ignorant  how  zealous  M.  Arnaud 
is  for  the  public  good,  especially  when  he  knows  that 
his  services  will  meet  your  approval.  His  generosity 
ought  not  to  go  unrewarded.  M.  Menard,  who  came  up 
with  me  from  Montreal,  will  also  present  you  with  his 
bill  of  expenditures  in  the  service  of  the  king. 


212  EAKLY  HISTOEY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Presents — Old  men  in  Council. 


"It  is  not  just  that  these  two  men  should  be  obliged 
to. defray  the  expense  of  presents  to  the  savages;  espe 
cially  as  the  king  in  these  troublous  times  has  provided 
no  presents  with  which  to  settle  difficulties.  I  have  my 
self  paid  the  value  of  a  score  of  beavers,  for  services.  You 
will  permit  me  to  say  that,  as  I  came  here  by  your  or 
ders,  in  the  midst  of  so  many  dangers,  it  seems  only 
right  that  some  provision  should  have  been  made  for  my 
journey,  and  I  hope  hereafter  this  subject  may  receive 
your  attention.  Still,  I  am  very  glad  to  be  here,  and 
hope  my  presence  will  be  of  service  to  the  French. 

"I  believe,  if  M.  Menard  and  myself  had  arrived 
here  before  the  departure  of  the  Indians  for  Detroit,  we 
might  have  prevented  their  going,  by  informing  them  of 
some  things  we  heard  by  the  way ;  but  this  was  not  per 
mitted.  The  old  men  in  council  have  condemned  the 
departure  of  their  tribe,  but  say  they  could  not  restrain 
the  young  men,  after  they  had  learned  the  treason  of  the 
Hurons.  Besides,  they  went  to  aid  their  relatives,  by 
their  tomahawks  and  with  provisions. 

"  Before  we  left  St.  Ignace,  Tonpikanich  informed  us 
that  a  party  of  a  hundred  men  would  soon  arrive,  on 
their  way  to  Detroit ;  but  they  did  not  appear  while  we 
remained  there.  Therefore  M.  la  Motte  ought  not  to 
find  fault  because  we  did  not  stop  them. 

"  About  that  time,  a  party  of  warriors  were  to  leave 


EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  213 

Expedition  against  the  Miamis  prevented. 

Michilimackinac,  and,  having  engaged  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  to  join  them,  intended  to  attack  the  Miamis  on 
the  river  St.  Joseph.  M.  Arnaud  induced  them  to  wait 
until  our  arrival ;  and  we  were  enabled  entirely  to  divert 
them  from  their  object.  To  effect  this,  we  gave  them 
the  necklace  you  had  sent  to  settle  their  difficulty  with 
Detroit,  and  prevent  their  going  thither.  This  necklace, 
with  tobacco,  had  the  effect  to  stop  Onaske  and  Kou- 
taouiliboe,  who  were  living  beyond  the  precincts  of  the 
village — and  through  their  influence  the  whole  project 
was  easily  overthrown.  Several  canoes  have  indeed  de 
parted  since,  but  there  was  not  a  sufficiently  large  num 
ber  of  savages  to  make  a  successful  attack. 

"  I  asked  the  savages  if  I  could  send  a  canoe  manned 
with  Frenchmen  to  the  river  St.  Joseph,  with  any  degree 
of  safety  ?  They  replied  that  I  could,  and  urged  me  to 
do  so,  seeming  to  take  an  interest  in  the  Fathers  who 
are  there.  The  truth  is,  they  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to 
make  war  upon  the  Miamis  while  the  missionaries  re 
main  there,  and  for  that  reason  would  prefer  that  they 
should  come  to  us.  I  had  previously  engaged  some 
Frenchmen  to  carry  the  news  to  the  river  St.  Joseph, 
and  to  relieve  our  Fathers  if  they  were  in  any  difficulty ; 
but  one  of  them  has  been  so  much  intimidated  by  the 
representations  of  his  friends,  that  he  dare  not  trust  him 
self  among  the  savages. 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


French  Commandant  desired  by  the  Savages. 


"  As  affairs  are  at  present,  I  do  not  think  the  removal 
of  the  Fathers  is  advisable,  for  that  is  the  most  import 
ant  post  in  all  this  region  except  Michilimackinac  ;  and 
if  the  Outawas  were  relieved  from  the  restraint  imposed 
upon  them  by  the  existence  of  the  mission,  they  would 
unite  so  many  tribes  against  the  Miamis,  that  in  a  short 
time  they  would  drive  them  from  this  fine  country. 

"  All  the  old  men  of  this  village  who  are  friendly  to 
the  French,  among  whom  is  Koutaouiliboe,  have  be 
haved  so  well  during  all  the  trouble  at  Detroit,  that  they 
deserve  to  be  rewarded  for  their  zeal.  Koutaouiliboe 
has  long  been  our  friend.  He  possesses  sound  sense  and 
a  good  reputation,  and  has  affection  enough  for  us  to 
deserve  our  consideration.  He  desires  me  to  say,  to  you 
in  particular,  that  he  cannot  settle  all  these  bad  affairs 
alone,  and  he  wishes  you,  next  autumn,  to  send  the 
French  chief  you  intend  for  them,  and  they  will  pay  the 
amount  in  beaver.  They  no  longer  know  where  to  find 
martens  and  wild-cats.  He  says,  they  all  wish  to  have 
no  more  difficulties  here. 

"  Onaske  wishes  me  to  inform  you  that  c  the  reason  he 
has  appeared  to  grow  remiss,  was  from  the  fear  that 
some  trouble  might  occur  in  his  absence,  and  there 
would  be  no  one  to  settle  it.'  He  says,  that  while  he 
was  at  the  Isle  en  Huronne,  the  small-pox  desolated  his 
village,  and  he  invited  the  Kickapoos  of  Detroit  to  re- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN-.  215 

Message  of  Onaske  to  the  Governor-general. 

turn  here ;  but  they  did  not  obey  him,  and  now  they 
have  been  killed  by  the  Hurons.  He  took  the  French 
in  his  arms,  when  the  people  who  came  from  Detroit 
had  a  bitter  heart  toward  them ;  for  that  reason  I  found 
them  in  good  condition.  He  was  very  glad  to  see  me, 
and  hoped  I  would  remain.  He  was  glad  that  the 
French  had  made  a  fort  for  me,  and  for  themselves.  It 
would  strike  fear  into  the  hearts  of  their  enemies,  and 
cause  jealousy  among  the  tribes  at  Detroit.  He  had 
done  all  he  could  to  prevent  the  young  men  from  de 
scending  to  Detroit ;  and  since  I  was  here,  he  had  noth 
ing  to  fear  from  those  who  should  come  from  there,  and 
he  would  not  allow  any  trouble  to  originate  here.  If  Le 
Pesant  left  Detroit,  he  did  not  believe  he  would  come 
here,  but  would  probably  go  to  Manitoulin.'  Onaske 
begs  you  '  always  to  love  his  village,  and  not  to  believe 
the  representations  of  Le  Pesant,  who  gave  six  packs  of 
beaver  to  the  Iroquois  to  induce  them  to  come  with  him 
and  destroy  Michilimackinac.  He  hopes  you  will  con 
tinue  to  hinder  the  Iroquois  from  coming  here,  and  in 
struct  them  not  to  receive  the  Huron,  if  he  wishes  to  re 
turn  to  his  wigwam.'  You  will,  of  course,  manage  these 
things  as  you  think  proper. 

"I  have,  at  last,  found  another  Frenchman  who  is 
willing  to  go  to  the  river  St.  Joseph,  and  I  hope  the  four 
will  now  depart  immediately.  "We  have  reason  to  feel 


216  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Great  battle  fought  at  Detroit 

anxious  concerning  the  safety  of  the  Fathers,  on  account 
of  so  many  war-parties  going  down  on  that  side.  At 
least,  we  shall  have  news  from  St.  Joseph,  unless  our 
men  find  too  many  dangers  in  the  way." 

"  MICHILIMACKINAC,  August  27,  1706. 

"  A  few  canoes  of  the  savages  of  this  place,  who  went 
to  Detroit,  having  returned,  I  am  permitted  to  give  you 
their  report ;  they  arrived  here  on  Monday,  August  23d. 
The  chiefs  of  Michilimackinac,  who  remained  at  home, 
have  always  maintained  that  their  men  had  not  gone  to 
fight,  but  to  withdraw  their  brothers,  the  young  men, 
from  Detroit.  Those  who  went  last,  report  that  they 
met  these  young  men  on  their  way  home.  Five  or  six 
days  had  already  elapsed  since  they  left  Detroit,  and 
they  were  nearly  exhausted  with  hunger.  Ten  canoes 
have  gone  to  Saginaw  for  provisions.  Le  Pesant  and 
Jean  la  Blanc,  with  many  others,  are  still  delayed  by 
the  wind.  Those  who  have  arrived,  say  that  a  great 
battle  was  fought  at  Detroit,  and  that  the  French  were 
going  out  with  the  Miamis  and  Hurons  to  attack  the 
Outawas  in  their  fort.  Two  Frenchmen  had  been  killed 
in  the  combat,  by  a  Miami.  The  Outawas  feared  that 
they  had  killed  some  of  the  Iroquois  of  the  Saut,  if  any 
were  with  the  Hurons. 

"  The  savages  all  say  that  the  Miamis  were  masters  in 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  217 

Outawa  captives  burned. 

the  fort  of  the  French,  stealing  their  corn  and  other  pro 
visions,  and  committing  all  manner  of  depredations.  It 
was  also  reported  that  they  had  burnt  an  Outawa.  The 
Hurons  burned  a  young  Outawa  woman  in  their  fort. 
They  sent  four  Outawas  captive  to  the  Miamis  of  St.  Jo 
seph  ;  two  of  them  escaped ;  but  they  said  the  Miamis 
had  not  ill-treated  them,  and  the  blame  of  the  whole 
affair  must  rest  on  Quarante  Sous.  The  same  Hurons 
had  two  other  Outawa  prisoners,  whom  they  wished  to 
give  either  to  the  Miamis,  who  were  soon  to  return  from 
Detroit,  or  to  M.  la  Motte. 

"The  greater  part  of  the  fields  at  Detroit  had  been 
ravaged.  Only  a  few  of  the  Miamis  remained  at  De 
troit,  and  the  Loups  had  withdrawn.  No  news  had  yet 
been  received  from  M.  la  Motte.  M.  Menard  will  give 
all  the  circumstances  at  length ;  you  may  depend  upon 
his  report. 

"  We  are  impatiently  awaiting  the  return  of  M.  Bou- 
dor  and  the  Outawa  chiefs.  I  have  not  yet  sent  to  the 
river  St.  Joseph,  but  hope  to  very  soon. 

"  I  hasten  to  close  this  long  letter,  by  assuring  you  that 
I  am  with  respect,  sir, 

"  Your  very  humble,  and 

"  Very  obedient  servant, 

"JOS.  T.  MAREST." 


CHAPTER  XL 

La  Motte's  reply  to  two  letters  of  the  governor-general — Gives  an  ac 
count  of  the  attacks  of  the  savages  mentioned  by  Father  Marest — 
Jean  la  Blanc  demands  peace  by  a  branch  of  porcelain — M.  Bourmont 
receives  the  branch,  and  refers  the  affair  to  the  decision  of  M.  la  Motte 
— M.  la  Motte  thinks  this  outbreak  no  sudden  freak — Savages  proba 
bly  instigated  by  others — Desertion  of  the  French  soldiers  on  their 
way  to  Detroit — Expresses  thanks  that  powder  is  no  longer  allowed  to 
be  sold  to  the  hostile  savages  by  the  traders — Arrival  of  one  hundred 
warriors,  Sauteurs  and  Amikouecs — Numerous  councils  held  between 
them  and  the  French — M.  la  Motte  demands  of  them  the  death  of 
Le  Pesant  and  three  or  four  others — Hurons  and  Miamis  determined 
to  plunder  the  traders  at  Michilirnackinac. 

ON  the  reception  of  the  first  letter  from  Father  Marest, 
containing  an  account  of  the  trouble  at  Detroit,  the 
governor-general  wrote  two  letters  to  M.  la  Motte,  who 
was  returning  to  his  post  at  that  place.  To  these  com 
munications  M.  la  Motte  wrote  the  following  reply : 

"  FOET  PONTCHARTRAIN,  August  27,  1706. 

"  MONSIEUR  : — I  received,  on  my  way  hither,  the  two 
letters  with  which  you  were  pleased  to  honor  me,  dated 
27th  of  June  and  3d  of  July.  By  the  first,  you  inform 
me  that  you  are  not  surprised  at  the  attack  which  the 
Outawas  have  made  upon  us,  and  upon  the  Miamis. 
Not  so  with  me,  for  I  confess  frankly  that  I  was  ex- 


EAKLY   HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  219 

Letter  from  Cadillac  to  the  Governor-general. 

tremely  surprised  at  this  undertaking  of  a  nation  which 
never  before  manifested  a  warlike  disposition  toward  us. 

"  The  affair  of  the  Mississaques  of  which  you  speak 
was  a  quarrel  between  this  nation  and  the  Mi  amis,  who 
had  nothing  in  common  with  the  Outawas.  The  com 
mandant  of  this  post  had  pacified  the  parties,  and  settled 
the  difficulty.  In  fact,  as  soon  as  the  Outawas  had  com 
menced  the  attack,  the  Mississaques  drew  outside  of 
Detroit,  that  they  might  not  be  suspected  of  having 
given  any  aid  to  the  Outawas.  They  have  even  come 
here,  since  my  arrival,  to  ;  lament  our  dead,'  according 
to  their  custom. 

"  It  appears  that  the  Outawas  premeditated  what  they 
have  done  ;  and  according  to  the  letter  of  M.  Bourmont, 
of  which  he  has  shown  me  a  copy,  it  appears  equally 
certain  that  they  intended  to  destroy  the  French,  for  they 
killed  the  Rev.  Father  Constantine,  who  was  in  his  gar 
den  outside  the  fort,  and  La  Riviere,  a  soldier  who  had 
gone  to  give  warning  to  the  missionary.  This  soldier 
received  a  wound  from  the  knife  of  a  savage  ;  and  while 
attempting  to  save  himself,  he  was  pierced  by  three  or 
four  gun-shots  before  he  could  reach  the  gate  of  the  fort. 

"  Who  does  not  know  that  the  savages  are  cunning 
and  perfidious  ?  '  The  old  men,'  say  the  Outawas,  c  did 
not  meddle  in  this  affair — it  was  the  young  men.'  Fine 
excuse,  if  we  can  make  up  our  minds  to  receive  it. 


220  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Attack  of  the  Outawas  on  Detroit 

How  is  it  then,  sir,  after  committing  this  black  deed, 
Jean  la  Blanc,  who  is  the  second  chief,  and  the  old  man 
of  the  village,  comes  to  demand  peace  by  a  branch  of 
porcelain  ?*  M.  de  Bourmont  received  it,  referring  him 
to  what  you  and  I  would  do  about  it  on  my  arrival. 
Only  four  hours  after,  Jean  la  Blanc,  who  is  the  second 
chief,  and  the  old  man  of  the  village,  came  to  attack  the 
fort  with  a  great  number  of  warriors.  They  kept  up  a 
brisk  fire  upon  it  from  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  until 
midnight.  In  short,  they  continued  the  siege  forty  or 
fifty  days,  even  to  the  day  of  their  departure. 


*  "  The  porcelains  in  this  country  are  shells  ;  these  are  found  on  the 
coasts  of  New  England  and  Virginia.  They  are  channeled,  drawn  out 
lengthwise,  a  little  pointed,  without  ears,  and  pretty  thick.  The  fish 
contained  in  these  shells  are  not  good  to  eat ;  but  the  inside  is  of  so 
beautiful  a  varnish,  with  such  lively  colors,  that  it  is  impossible  to  imi 
tate-  it  by  art 

' '  There  are  two  sorts  of  these  shells,  or,  to  speak  more  properly,  two 
colors,  one  white  and  the  other  violet.  The  first  is  most  common,  and 
perhaps  on  that  account  less  esteemed.  The  second  seems  to  have  a 
finer  grain  when  it  is  wrought ;  the  deeper  its  color  is,  the  more  it  is 
valued.  Small  cylindrical  grains  are  made  of  both,  which  are  bored 
through  and  strung  upon  a  thread,  and  of  these,  branches  and  collara 
of  porcelain,  or  wampum,  are  made.  The  branches  are  no  more  than 
four  or  five  threads  or  small  straps  of  leather,  about  a  foot  in  length,  on 
which  the  grains  or  beads  of  wampum  are  strung.  The  collars  are  in 
the  manner  of  fillets  or  diadems,  formed  of  these  branches  sewed  together 
with  thread,  making  four,  five,  six,  or  seven  rows  of  beads,  and  of  pro 
portionable  length  ;  all  of  which  depends  on  the  importance  of  the  affair 
in  agitation,  and  the  dignity  of  the  person  to  whom  the  collar  is  pre 
sented.  ' ' — CHARLEVOIX. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  221 

Flag  of  Truce— Indian  forts. 

"  What  did  this  same  Jean  la  Blanc  mean,  when  he 
returned  to  the  fort  with  a  flag-staff  in  his  hand,  and 
having  approached  the  bastion,  said  to  M.  Bourmont, 
'  With  what  I  hold  in  my  hand  I  fear  nothing,  for  it 
comes  from  M.  Yaudreuil.  It  is  not  you  who  will  settle 
this  affair,  it  is  he ;  I  listen  to  his  word,  and  do  what  he 
bids  me.'  After  which  he  entered  the  fort,  having  de 
manded  admission  of  M.  Bourmont,  where  he  repeated 
the  same  thing. 

"  What  language  is  that  ?  who  can  understand  it  ?  Is 
it  the  young  men,  or  the  old,  who  have  been  concerned 
in  this  action  ? 

"  The  whole  course  which  the  old  men,  or  rather  this 
nation,  have  pursued,  proves  only  too  well  that  this  reso 
lution  has  not  been  taken  suddenly.  I  think  this  design 
would  never  have  been  executed,  if  M.  Tonti  had  not 
previously  laid  out  two  large  forts,  one  for  this  nation 
and  the  other  for  the  Hurons,  on  which  he  made  the 
French  work  in  spite  of  themselves.  I  learned  his  de 
sign  before  my  departure  from  Detroit,  and  advised  him 
to  do  nothing  about  it,  because  it  was  not  prudent,  on 
the  right  and  left  of  ourselves,  to  fortify  nations  upon 
whom  we  could  not  rely.  On  the  contrary,  our  fort 
should  have  kept  them  in  dependence.  It  was  a  great 
mistake,  but  there  was  a  remedy,  and  I  had  proposed  to 
myself  a  means  of  causing  these  forts  to  be  abandoned. 


222  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Besieged  fort  destitute  of  Gunpowder. 

"  But  M.  Tonti  committed  a  much  greater  mistake  by 
selling  to  the  Outawas,  for  the  benefit  of  the  company, 
so  much  powder  that  at  the  time  of  the  attack  there 
remained  only  thirty-one  pounds,  as  appears  by  the  in 
ventory  with  his  signature.  Fortunately  M.  Bourmont 
had  fifty  pounds  which  he  brought  from  Quebec  the 
preceding  autumn.  Great  strength!  mighty  means  of 
defense  !  A  royal  fort  established  by  order  of  the  king 
in  a  wilderness  teeming  with  savages,  yet  destitute  of 
gunpowder ! 

"  The  Outawas  were  well  informed  of  this  fact ;  they 
also  knew  that  the  garrison  consisted  of  only  fifteen  men ! 
But,  sir,  even  with  a  knowledge  of  these  facts,  why 
should  the  savages  make  an  attack  on  the  fort,  and  kill 
the  French?  "Why  fight  the  Miamis,  who  have  lived 
there  peaceably  for  five  years,  eating  and  drinking  to 
gether  every  day;  and  who  had  never  for  twenty  or 
thirty  years  quarreled  among  themselves  ? 

"  It  was  said  that  the  attack  was  made  on  the  Missis- 
saques ;  but  that  could  not  have  been,  as  the  Mississaquea 
have  not  only  shown  no  disposition  to  avenge  themselves, 
but  have  gone  away,  not  wishing  to  be  in  any  way  con 
cerned  in  the  bad  conduct  of  the  Outawas. 

"  You  were  right  in  supposing  that  I  would  find  no 
Outawas  here  on  my  arrival.  I  was  of  the  same  opinion 
as  soon  as  I  learned,  at  the  distance  of  two  days' journey 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  223 

Savage  outbreak  preconcerted. 

from  Montreal,  that  they  had  made  an  attack  on  the 
fort,  and  had  killed  the  poor  Father,  the  soldier,  and  the 
Miamis.  The  report  that  some  of  the  Outawas  had  been 
left  at  the  fort  as  hostages,  until  my  arrival,  was  false. 
They  were  not  so  well  disposed  toward  the  French  as 
that  would  signify. 

"  There  is  no  doubt,  sir,  as  you  have  said,  that  if  M. 
la  Forest  or  myself  had  been  on  the  spot,  these  difficul 
ties  would  not  have  occurred.  Perhaps  we  might  have 
been  able  to  detect  those  secret  plans,  by  means  that 
escaped  the  observation  of  M.  Bourmont. 

"  But  this  outbreak  is  no  sudden  freak ;  and  if  the 
savages  have  become  so  seriously  disaffected  as  present 
appearances  indicate,  no  doubt  the  cause  may  be  imputed 
to  my  unjust  detention  at  Quebec  by  your  order,  in  con 
sequence  of  a  well-concerted  series  of  charges  preferred 
against  me  by  the  company  of  the  colony.  I  am  aware 
that  at  first  you  might  have  believed  me  guilty;  but 
after  I  was  acquitted  by  the  intendant,  I  had  the  honor 
to  request,  with  all  possible  earnestness,  your  permission 
to  return  to  the  post  to  which  I  was  appointed  by  the 
king — not  having  been  the  choice  of  any  governor — but 
you  refused  to  grant  my  request.  I  must  believe  you 
had  good  reasons  for  so  doing,  though  I  have  not  the 
honor  of  knowing  them. 

"Your  orders  to  go  to  Fort  Pontchartrain  were  not 


224  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Pimabsnso— Deserters — More  troops  needed. 

given  to  M.  la  Forest  until  the  25th  of  September,  just 
after  I  had  received  an  order  from  Count  Pontchartrain 
to  come  to  Quebec,  if  I  were  at  Detroit ;  consequently  it 
was  my  duty  to  remain,  and  M.  Bourmont  was  sent  to 
command  until  I  could  return. 

"  You  are  already  aware  that  M.  Bourmont,  who  left 
Quebec  on  the  29th  of  September,  did  not  arrive  here 
until  the  29th  of  January.  If  he,  young  and  vigorous, 
had  so  much  difficulty  in  accomplishing  the  journey, 
would  M.  la  Forest,  who  is  between  fifty  and  sixty  years 
of  age,  have  been  able  to  succeed,  especially  as  he  was 
then  in  ill  health  ?  I  am  more  vigorous  than  he,  because 
I  am  younger,  but  my  duty  to  the  colonial  minister  com 
pelled  me  to  remain  at  Quebec. 

"  On  my  way  hither  I  passed  Sonnontouan,  the  village 
of  that  dangerous  spirit  Pimabanso.  I  had  some  disposi 
tion  to  give  him  trouble ;  but  he  is  an  evil  spirit,  and 
always  gets  himself  out  of  difficulty.  I  have  just  learned 
that  he  is  near  here,  coming  from  Orange  laden  with 
brandy,  as  is  his  custom. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  cause  some  of  the 
deserters  from  this  post  to  be  punished,  and  that  you 
will  send  the  rest  back,  or  replace  them,  in  order  to 
complete  the  number  that  you  granted  me.  May  I  not 
also  hope  for  an  increase  of  fifty  men  ?  I  trust  you  will 
either  grant  me  that  number,  or  else  release  me  from 


EAELY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  225 

Conduct  of  St.  Jean  and  Parisien. 

the  responsibility  of  any  troubles  that  may  arise  at  this 
fort. 

"  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  arrest,  and  return  to  me, 
two  men  of  my  company  named  St.  Jean  and  Parisien, 
who  ran  away  from  me  on  our  way  to  Detroit.  After 
we  had  crossed  the  Grand  Traverse,  I  left  four  or  five 
canoes  which  did  not  go  as  well  as  the  others,  ordering 
M.  Dufiguier  to  tell  them  that  I  would  go  on  to  the 
Fort  du  Sable,  and  await  them  there,  as  they  could 
come  thus  far  with  perfect  safety.  The  other  boats  soon 
arrived.  But  St.  Jean  and  Parisien  entered  the  Goya- 
gouin  bay,  and  proceeded  to  the  great  village  of  Sonnon- 
touan  to  carry  letters  to  the  Jesuit  who  resides  there,  and 
who,  it  appears,  had  charged  them  with  his  letters  to 
Montreal.  I  awaited  them  at  the  Sable  eight  entire 
days,  because  I  heard  by  the  Iroquois  that  there  were 
Outawas  at  the  Portage.  I  have  written  evidence  of  all 
this.  They  did  indeed  come  to  the  Fort  du  Sable  after 
they  were  sure  I  had  left,  though  I  first  obtained  a  pro 
mise  from  the  Iroquois  that  if  the  deserters  should  come, 
they  would  escort  them  to  the  portage  of  Niagara. 
Seven  or  eight  Hurons  went  to  the  Fort  du  Sable  and 
offered  themselves  as  an  escort,  but  St.  Jean  and  his 
party  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  them.  Do  not 
these  rascals  deserve  to  pass  the  winter  in  a  dungeon, 
and  to  be  sent  back  here  in  the  spring  ? 

15 


226  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN-. 

Traders  forbidden  to  carry  Powder  to  the  Savages. 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  having  forbidden 
the  four  canoes  which  have  gone  to  Michilimackinac,  to 
carry  powder  there.  I  do  not  know  whether  your  orders 
have  been  executed,  for  a  hundred  well-armed  Missis- 
saques  came  here  with  a  letter  to  me  from  Father  Marest, 
who  furnished  them  with  powder  for  their  journey. 
They  say  the  French  were  not  willing  to  receive  their 
beaver,  but  traded  with  them  for  all  their  martens.  I 
have  forbidden  them  to  trade  for  powder  here,  fearing 
they  might  be  but  the  messengers  of  the  Outawas,  or,  at 
least,  would  share  the  powder  with  them. 

"  A  hundred  other  warriors  have  also  arrived,  Sauteurs 
and  Amikouecs,  whom  Father  Marest  and  Maurice  Me- 
nard  had  collected  around  Toupikanich.  It  is  believed 
that  they  come  to  assist  the  Outawas,  as  they  had  with 
them  two  Outawa  men  and  one  squaw.  When  they  saw 
the  Outawa  fort  on  fire,  they  conferred  together,  and 
seemed  to  decide  that  it  was  necessary  to  hold  a  parley 
with  us.  For  that  purpose  they  raised  three  good  white 
flags  of  such  cloth  as  they  would  not  be  apt  to  purchase, 
and  I  granted  them  permission  to  land  near  the  fort.  As 
they  had  not  appeared  to  be  concerned  in  the  affair  with 
the  Outawas,  we  felt  obliged  to  receive  them ;  but  the 
result  was  the  holding  of  many  councils,  and  sometimes 
I  was  under  the  necessity  of  using  very  large  words. 

"The  Hurons  and  Miami s,  who  are  no  fools,  from  the 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  227 

Peace  with  the  Miamis — Savages  go  to  the  English. 

first  opposed  these  councils,  for  they  were  confident  this 
movement  had  only  been  made  by  the  Mississaques  and 
Sauteurs  to  favor  the  Outawas.  Their  reasoning  was 
very  good.  They  said,  if  these  tribes  had  come  on  a 
peaceful  errand,  they  would  not  have  come  as  soldiers, 
nor  in  such  large  numbers;  neither  would  they  have 
brought  with  them  two  Outawas,  whom  we  at  once 
recognized  as  among  those  who  had  fought  against  us. 
I  made  great  efforts  to  destroy  this  idea.  I  knew  our 
allies  had  good  reasons  for  thinking  as  they  did,  but 
considered  it  best,  under  the  circumstances,  to  tell  them 
I  would  not  permit  them  to  kill  people  whom  I  knew  to 
be  innocent — I  would  rather  die  with  them. 

"  Upon  hearing  my  decision,  the  Miamis  armed  them 
selves  and  left  the  fort,  and  went  to  the  village  of  the 
Hurons.  I  immediately  caused  the  gates  to  be  shut,  and 
doubly  guarded.  Finally,  the  Miamis  met  us  in  council, 
and  I  settled  the  affair  peaceably ;  all  now  appear 
satisfied. 

"I  learned  accidentally  at  Sonnontouan,  on  my  way 
here,  that  five  Outawas,  two  Miamis,  and  two  or  three 
Hurons  had  gone  to  Orange  to  get  brandy.  I  do  not 
know  what  has  become  of  the  Outawas;  the  Miamis 
have  returned,  and  report  that  the  English  detained 
them  there,  on  account  of  the  difficulties  at  this  post. 

"  The  Hurons,  Ouyatanons,  and  some  of  the  Miamis 


228  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Nations  refuse  to  make  peace  M-lth  the  Outawas. 

are  here,  and  have,  in  all  the  councils,  expressed  the 
following  sentiments:  '  We  will  never  listen  to  a  treaty 
of  reconciliation  with  the  Outawas.  "We  will  hear,  on 
this  subject,  neither  the  governor  nor  you.  Onontio 
might  give  us  all  the  goods  in  Quebec  and  Montreal, 
and  we  would  reject  them'  (I  very  much  doubt  it,  how 
ever).  '  We  beg  you  to  join  us.  "We  are  killed  for  wish 
ing  to  give  life  to  your  fort,  and  to  avenge  you.  M. 
Bourmont  had  no  powder ;  we  gave  him  ours  to  defend 
you.  We  do  not  wish  for  peace — it  must  not  be  spoken 
of.  If  you  make  peace  with  the  Outawas,  we  shall  have 
bad  thoughts.' 

"  This  last  sentence  means,  in  good  French,  that  if  I 
make  peace  with  the  one,  I  may  expect  war  with  the 
other.  But  I  do  not  trouble  myself  about  that.  I  shall 
succeed  in  my  designs — not,  however,  without  some  dif 
ficulty.  I  replied  to  them  as  follows : 

" c  We  have  been  struck  by  the  same  hand ;  but  I  do 
not  wish  to  make  war  in  your  mode,  I  wish  to  do  it  in 
mine.  You  go  in  small  parties,  and  often  put  over  the 
fire  little  kettles.  As  for  me,  I  declare  to  you  all,  Hu- 
rons,  Miamis,  Ouyatanons,  Chavouanons,  and  Iroquois, 
to  all  who  hear  me  speak,  I  wish  to  boil  only  one  great 
kettle,  and  to  put  all  the  Outawas  into  it  at  once.  Now, 
listen  to  me :  if  they  discover  us  on  our  march  and  flee, 
they  cannot  sow;  if  they  have  sown,  we  will  destroy 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  229 

Cadillac  promises  the  destruction  of  the  Outawas. 

their  corn.  The  governor  will  give  them  no  powder, 
and  these  people  cannot  live  by  the  bow  and  arrow. 
They  are  dead  men,  without  costing  you  the  loss  of  a 
single  man.  If  they  shut  themselves  up  in  their  villages 
and  fortify  themselves  there,  I  promise  to  fire  the  pal 
isade,  and  give  you  admittance.  I  will  do  it  myself,  at 
the  head  of  the  French  soldiers  and  of  your  warriors, 
and  I  promise  you  not  to  leave  a  single  Outawa  on  the 
earth.' 

"  Since  that  time,  it  has  been  necessary  to  pass  day 
and  night  in  council,  and  I  am  quite  exhausted.  I 
scarcely  know  how  I  have  found  time  to  write  so  long  a 
letter ;  I  cannot  take  a  copy  of  it. 

"  These  nations  wished  to  proceed  immediately  to 
Michilimackinac  with  a  hundred  warriors,  and  desired 
me  to  go  with  one  hundred  French  soldiers.  I  have 
persuaded  them  to  defer  the  expedition  until  next 
spring,  when  they  have  concluded  to  go  with  an  army 
of  eight  hundred  warriors. 

"  It  is  for  you,  sir,  it  is  for  you  to  decide  what  is  best 
to  be  done.  You  still  have  time  to  send  your  orders  this 
autumn,  by  a  light  canoe,  which  would  probably  reach 
here  before  winter  sets  in ;  but  if  they  should  be  over 
taken  by  cold  weather,  the  men  could  come  by  land. 
My  own  opinion  is,  that  this  attack  of  th&  Outawas 
ought  not  to  go  unpunished.  In  order  to  completely 


230  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Punishment  of  Le  Pesant— Expenses  defrayed. 

quiet  these  troubles,  it  will  be  necessary  to  put  Le  Pe 
sant  and  three  or  four  others  to  death,  and  to  pardon  the 
rest.  This  punishment  would  render  the  chiefs  of  each 
nation  more  wise  and  circumspect,  since  the  chiefs  are 
always  the  authors  of  such  mischief.  Le  Pesant  is 
old,  and  his  missionary  will  pray  God  for  him  after 
his  death,  and  give  him  absolution  at  death,  if  he  de 
mand  it. 

"  I  should  have  immediately  sent  a  canoe-load  of  men 
to  inform  you  of  all  the  events  transpiring  here,  that  you 
might  take  such  measures  as  you  should  think  necessary, 
if  the  soldiers,  who  were  sent  by  M.  Bourmont,  and  also 
my  correspondents  at  Montreal,  had  not  assured  me  that 
no  one  troubled  himself  to  send  them  back,  or  even  to 
assist  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  their  voyage.  There 
fore,  sir,  unless  you  think  proper  to  give  me  some  certain 
assurance  that  the  envoys  whom  I  send  to  inform  you  of 
what  is  passing  here  in  your  own  government,  shall  have 
their  expenses  defrayed  by  the  king,  consent,  if  you 
please,  to  receive  reports  from  me  only  by  such  opportu 
nities  as  may  present  themselves.  I  am  not  rich  enough 
to  do  otherwise. 

"  Why  is  it  that  since  last  January  each  soldier  has 
only  been  allowed  three  sous  a  day  for  food  ?  This  has 
not  been  the  case  before  in  ten  years.  Why  does  not 
the  intendant  feed  these  troops  as  well  as  he  does  those 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  231 


Hurons  and  Miamis  plunder  the  Traders. 


at  Quebec  ?  "Will  you  have  the  kindness  to  give  atten 
tion  to  this  matter  ? 

"Allow  me  to  inform  you  that  the  Hurons  and  Miamis 
are  going  to  Michilimackinac,  determined  to  plunder  all 
the  French  traders  who  are  on  their  way  thither,  and 
thus  prevent  them  from  carrying  powder  and  ball  to  the 
Outawas. 

"  Finally,  sir,  it  appears  to  me  that  your  action  in  re 
gard  to  the  Outawas  is  of  great  importance.  Of  this 
you  are  already  well  aware,  knowing,  as  you  do,  our 
interests,  and  the  manners  and  customs  of  this  people. 

"  Your  very  humble,  and 

"Very  obedient  servant, 

"LA  MOTTE  CADILLAC." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  governor-general  orders  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  tribes  engaged 
in  the  attack  on  Detroit,  to  descend  to  Montreal — They  arrive  June 
17,  1707 — Governor-general  refuses  to  see  them — Council  called  the 
next  day — Jean  le  Blanc's  speech — Second  council,  June  20th,  speech 
of  the  governor-general— Third  council,  Jean  le  Blanc's  reply — Fourth 
council,  governor-general  again  addresses  the  savages — Demands  the 
death  of  Le  Pesant — Finally  refers  the  affair  to  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac 
at  Detroit — Last  council :  Jean  le  Blanc  consents  to  the  demands  of 
the  governor-general. 

IN  accordance  with  the  advice  of  M.  la  Motte,  the 
governor-general  ordered  the  principal  chiefs  of  the 
Outawas  to  come  to  Montreal,  that  he  might  examine 
into  the  affair.  Obedient  to  the  command,  Jean  le 
Blanc,  and  a  number  of  other  chiefs,  made  the  journey 
in  the  spring  of  1707.  They  arrived  on  the  17th  of  June, 
and  proceeded  immediately  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 
governor-general.  To  their  great  dismay,  he  refused  to 
see  them.  The  next  day,  however,  a  council  was  called, 
and  Jean  la  Blanc,  the  second  chief  of  that  powerful  na 
tion,  the  Outawas,  made  the  following  speech : 

"  My  father,  my  father — I  am  so  embarrassed  that  I 
know  not  if  I  shall  have  strength  to  speak  to  you.  Our 
custom  is,  as  soon  as  we  have  debarked,  to  come  and  sa- 


EAKLY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  233 

Provocation  to  the  Attack  on  Detroit 

lute  you.  We  were  surprised,  yesterday,  to  learn  that 
you  did  not  wish  to  receive  us. 

"My  father — You  see  your  children,  the  Outawas; 
behold  in  what  state  we  are  to  come  here  below  !  We 
have  no  more  of  the  old  people ;  and  of  all  our  chiefs, 
whom  you  have  seen  here  at  other  times,  there  now  re 
mains  to  us  only  Le  Brochet,  who  is  on  his  way  hither. 

"  My  father,  my  father,  M.  de  Yaudreuil — I  wish  you 
to  hear  me,  'and  listen  to  me  tranquilly.  I  have  com 
mitted  one  fault,  which  is- very  great.  I  cannot  say  that 
I  was  intoxicated,  for  I  had  not  the  water  of  life  of  the 
English  to  induce  me  to  do  this  bad  action.  But  I  will 
tell  you,  with  all  truth,  what  was  the  cause  of  my  mis 
fortune. 

"We  had  departed,  as  you  already  know,  our  father, 
to  make  war  upon  the  Sioux,  to  avenge  the  Sacs,  our 
allies.  After  having  passed  the  fort  of  the  French, 
as  we  were  near  that  of  the  Hurons,  a  savage  came  to 
tell  us  that  our  children  wrere  dead;  that  after  three 
days'  march  of  our  warriors,  the  Ouyatanons  would  come 
to  eat  our  women  and  children.  Then,  my  father,  we 
said,  '  We  will  strike  the  Miamis  before  they  strike  us, 
or  we  are  indeed  dead.' 

"You  have  known,  my  father,  from  Mishonaky,  and 
you  ought  to  have  known  by  your  letters,  all  that  has 
passed  in  this  affair;  and  especially  our  great  misfor- 


234  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Interview  between  Jean  le  Blanc  and  M.  Bourmont. 

tunes,  as  the  c  gray  coat'  and  the  soldier  have  been  killed, 
though  without  design. 

"  When  they  had  finished  fighting,  that  is  to  say,  sev 
eral  days  after  we  had  attacked  the  Miarnis,  I  went  alone 
to  the  fort,  to  speak  to  M.  Bourmont.  I  carried  a  branch 
of  porcelain,  and  entreated  him  to  be  willing  to  listen 
well  to  me.  I  told  him  it  was  to  be  wished  that  Onon- 
tio  M.  Yaudreuil,  and  even  the  great  Onontio,  the  king, 
could  hear  me,  as  they  would  listen  to  my  reasons.  I 
demanded  of  him  the  coat  which  you  gave  me  when  I 
came  here  below,  and  which  I  had  left  in  the  care  of  the 
best  of  my  friends.  I  demanded  of  him  this  coat,  my 
father,  in  order  to  make  use  of  it  to  find  the  nations 
clothed  in  the  coats  of  my  father,  and  to  settle  all  the 
bad  affairs.  He  would  not  listen  to  me.  The  day  fol 
lowing,  I  returned  six  times,  and  each  time  I  took  with 
me  a  man  of  the  different  nations,  and  presents  of  neck 
laces  and  beavers,  in  order  to  be  able  to  speak  to  him ; 
but  he  refused  to  listen  to  us,  as  on  the  preceding  day. 

"  My  father,  my  father — You  have  known  all  that  has 
happened,  and  how  all  has  occurred.  I  have  nothing  to 
fear,  because  I  have  a  good  father ;  therefore,  I  conceal 
nothing  from  you :  I  show  you  all  that  is  in  my  heart. 
Here  is  my  body ;  do  with  it  what  you  will :  put  me  in 
the  big  kettle,  if  you  think  proper.  But  I  am  not  the 
most  guilty ;  for  what  I  have  done,  was  done  as  by  a 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  235 

Merits  and  Services  of  Talon  pleaded. 

man  without  his  senses.  It  is  Le  Pesant,  that  bear,  who 
is  above  upon  his  bed,  who  has  not  been  willing  to  listen 
to  all  the  reasons  which  we  brought,  to  prevent  him 
from  obliging  us  to  commit  this  bad  act. 

"  My  father — Since  I  have  commenced  speaking,  I  am 
gaining  courage.  I  beg  you  to  remember  that  it  was 
my  father  Talon,  my  own  father,  who  first  came  from 
the  upper  regions  to  find  the  French.  He  came  across 
the  woods  to  Three  Rivers,  where  he  was  well  received 
by  him  who  commanded  there.  The  next  year  he  re 
turned,  and  found  there  M  de  Courcelle,  "who  gave  him 
the  name  of  Talon,  saying  it  was  necessary  to  bind  the 
commerce  together ;  and,  since  the  door  was  open,  they 
must  continue  to  see  each  other,  as  it  gave  him  a  key  to 
this  door,  in  order  to  open  it  when  he  should  think 
proper,  whatever  difficulties  might  occur. 

"  My  father — I  keep  this  key,  being  one  of  his  chil 
dren.  I  make  use  of  it  to-day  to  open  your  door.  It  is 
true  that  I  have  almost  closed  the  door  against  myself, 
by  my  bad  conduct ;  but  of  what  use  is  this  key,  if  it 
may  not  serve  me  in  an  affair  of  consequence ;  and  who 
is  permitted  to  use  it,  if  not  I,  to  whom  my  father  has 
left  it? 

"  My  father — I  have  left  Michilimackinac,  to  come  to 
see  you.  I  have  come  by  the  old  way,  so  much  traveled 
by  our  ancestors.  I  found  it  all  filled  with  impedi- 


236  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN". 


Obstacles  removed— Guilt  confessed— Pardon  sought. 


ments.  I  have  cleared  it ;  I  have  taken  away  the  trees 
that  obstructed  it.  I  have  removed  the  rocks  in  the 
rapids ;  I  have  rooted  out  all  the  bad  plants,  in  order  to 
make  it,  in  future,  a  fine  passage  for  my  brothers,  the 
French,  and  for  ourselves.  I  give  you  this  necklace,  my 
father,  that  this  gate  may  remain  open  to  you.  "We 
have  lost  every  thing,  in  losing  our  old  men ;  we  have 
no  wisdom  to  conduct  us.  How  can  we  have,  being 
without  a  leader?  At  Michilimackinac  we  have  seen 
M.  Louvigny,  M.  la  Motte,  M.  Tonti,  M.  Mantet,  and 
M.  la  Forest,  with  the  Illinois.  "While  they  remained 
there,  we  always  lived  peaceably,  and  were  always  obe 
dient  to  the  will  of  our  father.  What  has  happened  to 
us  at  Detroit  is  very  painful ;  I  am  vexed  with  myself 
when  I  think  of  it.  I  killed  myself  when  I  killed  the 
soldier,  and  the  c  gray  coat,'  the  child  of  the  father  who 
gives  us  life  !  Have  pity  on  us,  our  father,  for  I  am  in 
despair  at  the  bad  conduct  which  I  have  committed. 
Behold  all  your  children  here  present;  they  say  the 
same  thing.  We  have  killed  the  '  gray  coat,'  it  is  true, 
but  we  hope  to  bring  him  to  life  again.  When  I  say 
that  we  will  bring  the  *  gray  coat'  again  to  life,  it  is  not 
with  necklaces  and  furs ;  for  I  know  well  that,  though 
we  might  have  a  house  full  of  them,  they  would  not  be 
a  sufficient  recompense  for  the  blood  of  our  father. 
What  then  can  I  do  ?  I  can  only  satisfy  you,  my  father, 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  237 

Captives  offered— Quarante  Sous — Hurons. 

by  giving  you  these  two  captives,  who  are  our  own  blood, 
since  we  have  adopted  them.  Receive  them,  my  father, 
to  cover  that  of  Father  Kecollet ;  else  take  my  body.  I 
can  offer  you  nothing  more  ;  have  pity  upon  me  !  Re 
store  tranquillity  to  the  lakes  and  rivers,  that  all  your 
children  may  be  in  peace  ;  and  that  they  may  cook  their 
meat,  and  drink  of  the  wave,  with  all  safety. 

"  There  are  those,  my  father,  who  call  themselves  your 
children,  who  have  wished  to  astonish  me,  by  taking  me 
by  the  end  of  the  finger ;  but  you,  my  father,  have  al 
ways  held  me  by  the  hand.  It  is  true  that  I  have 
thought  to  escape  you.  I  beg  you  now  to  take  my  hand 
more  strongly  than  ever.  What  can  I  fear,  if  you  do 
not  abandon  me  ? 

"  My  father — You  must  have  seen,  by  your  letters, 
and  by  what  Mishonaky  has  told  you,  how  many  nations 
Quarante  Sous  has  invited  to  eat  us.  I  confess  to  you 
that  the  Hurons,  after  having  been  so  long  our  friends, 
have  villainously  betrayed  us.  I  am  cut  to  the  heart, 
and  I  can  only  be  healed  by  telling  you  all  my  thoughts. 
The  Hurons  have  not  only  killed  us  in  battle,  but  what 
touches  me  the  most,  they  have  killed  our  men  who,  for 
the  love  of  them,  went  with  them  to  war  against  the 
Flat  Heads.  The  Hurons  would,  long  since,  have  been 
no  more,  if  I  had  left  their  interests.  Many  nations 
have  asked  of  me  this  roebuck,  to  eat  it ;  but  I  have  not 


238  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN". 

Outawas — Eeproaches  of  the  Hurons  and  Miamis. 

been  willing  to  give  it  up.  Yet  it  is  lie  who  has  betrayed 
me  to-day. 

"  My  father — The  Hurons  have  committed  four  trea 
sons  in  succession,  in  what  has  passed  at  Detroit.  I 
know  not  the  number  of  people  I  may  have  killed  for 
them ;  but  they  have  killed  for  me  thirty  men. 

"  My  father — It  is  I,  it  is  the  Outawas,  who  have  killed 
the  '  gray  coat ;'  by  mistake,  indeed,  but  we  have  killed 
him  and  the  soldier,  and  we  have  caused  all  the  misfor 
tunes  which  have  occurred  at  Detroit.  As  for  Techenet, 
it  is  M.  Bourmont  who  has  killed  him,  seeing  him  fight 
against  us;  for  the  father  and  the  soldier  were  both 
killed  in  the  first  fire ;  and  all  that  happened  afterward 
was  done  coolly,  as  M.  Bourmont  caused  it  to  be  done. 

"  My  father — All  my  bad  feeling  toward  the  Miamis 
and  Hurons  arises  from  their  having  often  reproached 
me  with  being  without  a  father.  They  said  you  had  for 
saken  me ;  and  a  proof  of  that  was,  that  I  had  no  longer 
any  powder,  while  they  were  treated  to  it  in  abundance. 
c  What !'  said  I  to  myself,  '  am  I  not  the  oldest  of  my 
father's  children  ?  Why  should  he  abandon  me?' 

"  M.  la  Motte  has  invited  me,  by  Beauvais,  to  come  to 
see  his  village.  M.  d'Argenteuil  has  also  sent  me  word 
that  he  could  not  come  to  see  me  now,  but  he  hoped  he 
might  do  so  soon.  I  have  replied  to  M.  la  Motte,  that 
if  I  had  two  bodies,  I  would  willingly  divide  into  two 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  239 

Keply  of  the  Governor-general  to  the  Chiefs. 

parts,  to  go  to  see  him ;  but  that,  having  only  one,  and 
being  called  by  my  father,  I  was  going  to  learn  his 
wishes." 

In  accordance  with  the  Indian  custom,  the  governor- 
general  deferred  his  answer  until  a  future  time.  Two 
days  after,  on  the  20th  of  June,  the  council  again  met, 
and  M.  Yaudrenil  made  the  following  reply  to  the 
speech  of  Jean  le  Blanc,  addressing  himself  alike  to  Le 
Blanc,  and  to  all  the  other  chiefs  who  had  accompanied 
him  to  Montreal : 

"  I  am  not  surprised,  Jean  le  Blanc,  after  what  has 
happened  at  Detroit,  to  see  you  embarrassed  in  speak 
ing  to  me ;  you  should  have  foreseen  at  that  time  what 
would  be  the  consequences  of  such  conduct.  If  I  did 
not  wish  to  receive  you  immediately  on  your  arrival,  as 
I  received  Le  Brochet,  Meyaouka,  and  two  others,  it  is 
because  I  regarded  them  as  obedient  children,  who,  in 
these  bad  affairs,  always  maintained  good  principles. 
But  as  for  you,  I  can  yet  regard  you  only  as  a  rebellious 
child — one  who  has  displeased  me  with  his  bad  conduct. 
I  know  all  that  has  passed  at  Detroit ;  every  thing  has 
been  told  me  by  M.  la  Motte,  M.  Bourmont,  and  Father 
Marest,  as  well  as  by  yourself. 

"  Did  you  say  the  truth,  yesterday  when  you  told  me 
that  you  would  give  me  your  body  to  do  with  it  what 
ever  I  might  wish,  even  to  put  you  in  the  big  kettle,  if 


240  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Accuses  Jean  le  Blnnc  of  Perfidy. 

I  thought  proper  ?  In  this,  you  betray  your  despair  of 
my  forgiveness  for  those  things  that  you  have  done ;  that 
is  something,  but  it  is  not  enough.  I  am  a  good  father, 
it  is  true ;  but  for  that  very  reason,  when  one  offends 
me,  the  offense  is  very  great. 

"  In  coming  here,  you  have  given  me  a  proof  of  your 
obedience,  and  also  of  your  confidence  in  my  kindness. 
But  I  have  not  yet  received  any  evidence  of  your  true 
and  sincere  repentance,  and  perseverance  in  well-doing. 
Therefore,  what  have  I  to  depend  upon  when  you  have 
returned  to  Michilimackinac  ?  What  pledge  will  you 
give  that  you  will  not,  on  the  very  first  day,  insult  my 
.children  ? 

"  When  you  came  here  two  years  ago,  you,  Jean  le 
Blanc,  with  Le  Pesant,  did  you  not  tell  me  that  the 
Outawas  of  Michilimackinac  were  not  like  those  of  De 
troit,  who  had  attacked  the  Iroquois  without  cause ;  that, 
although  the  Miamis  had  struck  you  twice,  your  broken 
head  was  quite  closed  up  since  the  peace,  and  wherever 
you  might  find  the  Miamis  you  would  not  attack  them, 
unless  they  first  attacked  you,  but  then  you  would  avenge 
yourselves.  Did  I  not  then  tell  you,  that  in  case  of  any 
farther  trouble  it  would  be  necessary  for  me  to  refer  you 
to  the  commandant  of  Detroit,  who,  knowing  all  the  cir 
cumstances  of  the  case,  and  having  my  orders,  could 
always  tell  you  my  wishes  ? 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  241 


Expresses  confidence  in  the  other  Chiefs. 


"Have  you  kept  your  word?  Did  you  inform  M. 
Bourmont  before  you  attacked  the  Miamis  ?  Is  it  true 
that  the  Miamis  made  the  first  attack  upon  you,  and  you 
tried  to  prevent  it  ? 

"  No  !  All  this  is  only  a  pretext,  of  which  Le  Pesant, 
the  bear,  who  is  now  at  Michilimackinac,  high  up  in  his 
bed,  was  glad  to  make  use,  in  order  to  give  trouble. 
Since  you  failed  then  to  keep  your  word,  what  ground 
have  I  to  believe  you  now  ?  I  ought  rather  to  think  that 
only  the  danger  in  which  you  are  now  makes  you  prom 
ise  so  fairly. 

"  The  more  I  examine  into  the  events  that  have  trans 
pired  at  Michilimackinac,  the  more  I  see  of  your  disobe 
dience.  Sometimes  I  behold  my  children,  the  Iroquois, 
bound  and  ready  to  be  burned ;  sometimes  I  see  the 
French,  whole  families,  taken  prisoners  and  held  as  host 
ages.  These  are  every-day  occurrences ;  and  if  I  forbid 
you  to  go  to  war,  it  is  to  restrain  those  among  you  who 
are  constantly  seeking  occasions  for  war. 

"  It  is  not  that  among  the  large  tribe  of  the  Outawas 
there  are  none  who  listen  to  my  voice ;  I  know  that 
Meyaouka,  who  is  here,  loves  peace,  and  Le  Brochet 
also.  I  know  that  Sakima  has  a  good  mind,  and  since 
he  has  come  here  he  shows  a  disposition  to  satisfy  me. 
I  know  that  there  are  still  some  others  above  who  have 

good  sentiments. 

16 


242  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Le  Pesant's  life  demanded— Blood  for  Blood. 

"But  who  will  satisfy  me  that,  when  you  have  re 
turned,  Le  Pesant,  that  bear,  who  dreams  upon  his  mat 
only  of  making  \var,  will  not  spoil  the  present  peaceful 
spirit  you  possess,  and  prevail  upon  you  to  commit  a 
greater  fault  than  that  which  you  have  already  com 
mitted  ? 

"  Your  present  offense  is  much  greater,  since  you  have 
not  only  without  cause  attacked  the  Miamis,  my  allies, 
and  armed  in  my  service,  but  you  have  also  attacked 
myself  by  killing  a  missionary,  whose  loss  can  hardly  be 
repaired.  He  was  of  so  much  value  among  us  that  if 
Le  Pesant,  who  is  the  sole  cause  of  all  this  mischief,  had 
come  here,  I  do  not  know  what  I  might  have  done.  But 
I  leave  to  you  the  care  of  avenging  me,  and  rendering 
suitable  satisfaction.  You  should  have  brought  me  his 
head.  My  blood  still  flows.  I  see  it  continually  before 
my  eyes ;  and  though  you  have  come  here,  I  cannot  yet 
staunch  it.  The  two  captives  whom  you  present  to  me, 
though  adopted  by  you,  are  foreign  blood.  Father 
Recollet  and  the  soldier  were  my  blood — my  own  blood. 

"  The  blood  of  the  French  is  usually  repaid  among  us 
only  by  blood.  Thus,  you  see,  I  ought  not  to  be  satisfied 
with  what  you  have  done ;  indeed,  it  is  almost  impossible 
to  satisfy  me  at  all  for  the  loss  which  I  have  sustained, 
unless  it  be  by  sacrificing  the  head  of  him  who  caused  it. 

"  You  have  told  me  yourself  that  he  caused  all  your 


EAKLY   HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  243 

Second  speech  of  Jean  le  Blanc. 

misfortunes,  and  so  long  as  he  lives  will  only  make  quar 
rels  for  you  with  all  the  nations,  and  will  finally  "be  the 
cause  of  your  ruin.  Reflect  on  what  I  have  said  to  you, 
and  give  me  your  reply." 

The  next  day,  June  21st,  1707,  the  council  having 
again  convened,  Jean  le  Blanc  made  the  following  re 
joinder  to  the  speech  of  the  governor-general : 

"My  father,  my  father — I  come  again  before  you. 
Count  Frontenac  always  told  our  old  men,  that  we  would 
still  be  his  children,  although  they  were  dead.  I  speak 
to  you  as  if  they  were  present. 

"  We  are  your  children,  my  father ;  we  come  to  you 
by  a  necklace.  I  am  in  despair,  my  father,  about  being 
able  to  repair  the  evil  I  have  done.  I  speak  for  my 
people,  I  lend  them  my  voice. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  offer  you  but  my  body.  I  am  in 
despair,  being  unable  to  make  amends  for  my  faults. 
I  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  our  old  men — I  follow,  in  the 
footsteps  of  my  own  father ;  they  have  always  been  obe 
dient,  I  will  be  so  too.  I  have  committed  a  great  fault ; 
but  can  it  be  repaired?  My  father — I  am  desperate 
about  what  has  happened.  You  have  demanded  the 
head  of  that  bear  who  is  above.  True,  it  is  he  who  is 
guilty — it  is  he  himself;  but  I  cannot  promise  you 
satisfaction. 

"If  I  were  to  say  to  my  father,  'I  will  give   you 


244  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Le  Pesant  allied  to  all  the  savage  Nations. 

the  head  of  that  great  bear,'  it  would  be  impossible  for 
me  to  keep  my  word,  and  I  should  be  sorry  to  lie  to  you. 

"  I  dare  not  promise  you,  my  father,  to  do  what  you 
demand,  because  that  great  bear  is  allied  to  all  the 
upper  nations.  "Not  that  I  would  fear  him  if  he  were 
there  alone,  for  none  of  us  love  him,  as  he  is  the  guilty 
one.  But,  as  he  is  allied  to  all  the  lakes,  my  father,  I 
am  troubled  about  the  consequences.  As  all  his  allies 
prevented  me  from  making  efforts  to  bring  him  here,  I 
cannot  do  with  him  what  I  would  desire. 

"My  father — My  consolation  is  that  he  is  old,  and 
cannot  go  far,  and  when  lie  is  dead  we  shall  have  no 
more  trouble.  But  while  waiting,  we  promise  you  to 
listen  to  him  no  more.  And,  if  we  can  appease  your 
anger,  we  will  give  you  our  word  that  he  shall  not  cause 
us  to  commit  any  fault. 

"My  father,  my  father — We  are  your  children,  we 
are  all*  French ;  it  is  terrible  that  we  must  perish  for  the 
love  of  our  brothers.  This  is  the  first  fault  that  we  have 
committed — the  first  fault  with  which  any  one  can  re 
proach  the  Outawas. 

"My  father — "We  have  always  been  friendly  to  the 
French ;  shall  we  now  perish  by  their  hand  ? 

"  All  of  us  who  are  here,  my  father,  are  chiefs  and 
principal  men ;  we  are  resolved  to  do  your  will.  Par 
don  us,  our  father!  "We  promise  you  that  you  shall 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  245 


Fourth  Council — Speech  of  M.  Vaudreuil. 


never  have  sorrow  on  our  account,  and  that  we  will  have 
no  other  will  than  yours." 

Another  council  was  held,  June  22,  1707,  when  the 
governor-general  addressed  the  savages  of  Michilimacki- 
nac,  as  follows : 

"I  have  thought  upon  what  you  replied  to  me  yester 
day.  I  am  very  willing  to  believe  that  you  cannot  de 
liver  to  me  the  head  of  Le  Pesant,  as  I  requested  you. 

"  Yet  his  blood  is  necessary  to  satisfy  me  :  the  death 
of  a  missionary  can  be  expiated  only  with  blood. 

"  I  pity  you ;  for  all  the  nations  have  seen  your  fault, 
and  are  waiting  in  suspense  to  hear  what  satisfaction  I 
may  require  of  you.  All  the  nations,  therefore,  must 
know  how  penitent  you  are  for  your  fault,  and  how  sub 
missive  you  are  to  my  will. 

"It  was  at  Detroit  that  you  offended  me;  it  was 
there  that  you  killed  Father  Recollet  and  my  soldier ; 
and  it  is  there  that  I  wish  you  to  make  satisfaction. 
For  that  purpose,  I  wish  you  to  carry  to  M.  la  Motte 
the  two  captives,  whom  you  brought  here  to  present 
to  me. 

"  That  I  may  be  certain  of  your  obedience,  and  that 
all  the  nations  may  also  witness  it,  you  must  not  return 
by  the  great  river  of  the  Outawas ;  at  least,  not  all  of 
you.  It  is  necessary  that  you,  Jean  le  Blanc,  and  some 
others,  with  the  captives,  should  go  by  the  way  of  the 


246  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Difficulty  referred  to  M.  la  Motte. 

lakes.  I  will  give  you  letters  to  M.  la  Motte  and  the 
French,  fcr  your  security. 

"  But,  by  whatever  means  M.  la  Motte  may  settle  the 
difficulties  which  you  have  made,  and  also  satisfy  the 
nations  whom,  as  well  as  myself,  you  have  offended,  I 
will  order  him  not  to  include  Le  Pesant  in  the  pardon, 
which,  perhaps,  he  may  grant  you  on  my  account. 

"  I  will  agree  to  any  settlement  that  M.  la  Motte  may 
be  able  to  make  between  you  and  the  other  nations,  if 
Le  Pesant  be  not  included.  I  am  very  willing  to  grant 
you  a  general  amnesty  of  all  the  past.  Jean  le  Blanc, 
behold  the  open  door !  see  that  you  make  use  of  it ! 

"  The  necklace  which  you  gave  me  yesterday,  I  return 
to  you.  "When  you  have  done  what  I  have  commanded 
you,  and  when  La  Motte  has  found  means  by  which  to 
grant  you  the  pardon  of  your  fault,  and  to  settle  the 
aifair  with  those  nations  whom  you  have  attacked,  bring 
back  the  necklace  to  me  by  the  way  of  the  lakes  or  the 
great  river.  Both  these  ways  will  be  open  to  you,  in 
case  I  shall  myself  confirm  the  pardon  which  may  have 
been  granted  you  in  my  name.  When  the  necklace  is 
returned,  I  will  willingly  forget  your  fault.  But  if  you 
all,  Outawas  of  Michilimackinac,  do  not  give  me  this 
proof  of  obedience,  you  have  every  thing  to  fear  from 
my  just  resentment. 

"  Father  Marest  has  informed  me  that  he  intends  to 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  247 


Outawas  caused  their  own  Afflictions. 


bring  me  some  captives  to  satisfy  his  brothers,  the  Iro- 
quois,  and  that  he  would  come  down  now,  but  for  that. 
I  charge  thee,  only  thee,  Brochet,  to  tell  him  that  I  de 
pend  upon  his  word. 

"  As  to  the  complaint  that  you  make  against  the  Hu- 
rons,  it  is  not  they  who  have  killed  you,  it  is  yourselves. 
If  the  Outawas  had  not  attacked  the  Miamis,  as  you  did, 
without  cause,  the  Huron  nation  would  still  be  our  ally, 
Father  Recollet  would  be  living,  and  you  would  be  at 
Detroit  enjoying  an  abundance,  and  not  in  misery,  as 
you  now  are. 

"  Jean  le  Blanc,  M.  la  Motte  knowing  what  you  have 
told  me,  has  invited  you  to  go  and  see  him ;  profit  by 
the  good  opinion  which  he  has  of  you. 

"  Although  you  have  oifended  me  in  the  most  tender 
point,  having  plunged  the  poniard  into  my  bosom,  you 
see  that  I  yet  have  pity  for  you,  by  furnishing  you  the 
means  of  settling  the  difficulty  which  you  have  made. 
Outawas,  profit  by  my  pity ! 

"  I  have  given  my  orders  to  M.  la  Motte,  to  remember 
all  who  are  here  present — Outawas,  Kiskakons,  Sinagos, 
you  of  the  Nations  du  Sable,  and  of  the  Fourche. 

"  Remember,  all  of  you,  the  word  which  I  gave  you 
yesterday,  no  longer  to  recognize  Le  Pesant  in  any  thing, 
and  to  regard  him  in  future  as  a  decayed,  rotten  mem 
ber,  and  separated  from  your  body. 


248  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Last  Council— Chiefs  express  Submission. 

"  Remember  that  you  have  promised  me  to  make  no 
more  trouble,  and  never  to  give  me  cause  of  sorrow. 

"  Outawas !  the  blood  of  the  French  is  of  value ;  re 
member  well  all  my  words !" 

The  last  council  of  this  long  session  was  held  on  the 
23d  of  June,  and  to  the  clear  statement  of  the  terms  and 
conditions  of  peace  made  by  the  governor-general,  Jean 
la  Blanc  replied : 

"  My  father — I  am  sorry  that  M.  Bourmont  is  not  here 
to  give  you  his  statement,  as  I  do  mine.  I  believe  he  is 
ashamed,  since  he  has  not  come,  like  me,  to  tell  you  his 
story. 

"  My  father,  my  father — I  beg  you  to  listen  to  me ; 
and  you,  interpreters,  take  good  care  that  you  forget 
nothing,  and  that  you  correctly  interpret  what  I  shall 
say  unto  you. 

"  Last  year,  when  I  arrived  at  Michilimackinac,  I  said 
to  Father  Marest,  that  I  should  die  for  the  loss  of  my 
father.  But  when  I  saw  the  little  Fox  arrive,  I  said  to 
him  that  I  no  longer  feared  any  thing;  for  my  father 
had  called  me,  and  I  was  going  to  offer  him  my  body. 

"  My  father — I  see  plainly  that  my  complexion  is  not 
to  your  liking.  I  go  to  obey  your  will.  I  go  to  find  M. 
la  Motte,  and  to  die  with  my  brother,  Father  Recollet. 

"  My  father — I  am  a  child  of  obedience  ;  I  go  to  De 
troit.  I  have  already  said  to  you  that  I  will  deliver  to 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  249 

Jean  le  Blanc  desires  an  Envoy. 

you  my  body.  I  am  going  to  Detroit,  and  from  there  I 
will  go  to  Michilimackinac,  in  order  to  make  smooth  the 
old  way.  I  will  do  your  will,  my  father ;  and,  since  I 
do  what  you  require  of  me,  I  beg  you  to  grant  me  what 
I  ask  of  you. 

"  My  father — TVre  have  not  yet  determined  who  are  to 
go  to  Detroit  with  me  ;  I  have  brought  them  here,  that 
you  may  decide.  My  father,  I  obey  your  will. 

"  My  father — Our  people  will  be  in  trouble  about  me. 
When  I  departed  they  came  to  see  me,  in  great  distress 
lest  I  should  never  return.  I  beg  you,  since  I  obey  you, 
to  send  one  of  your  chief  men  to  assure  them  that  I  have 
only  gone  to  do  your  will. 

"  I  ask  this,  my  father,  because  the  boat  that  goes  by 
the  great  river  will  reach  Michilimackinac  sooner  than 
I  shall ;  and  when  he  shall  say  to  the  people  that  I  have 
gone  to  see  La  Motte,  the  old  men  will  send  a  boat  to 
inform  the  other  nations,  and  to  explain  to  them  the  ob 
ject  of  my  journey. 

"  The  Sacs,  the  Malominies,  the  Mascoutins,  the  Kick- 
apoos,  the  Outagamies,  and  the  Pottawatomies,  are  peo 
ple  who  will  like  to  hear  the  good  news.  They  are  our 
allies,  and  are  those  to  whom  our  old  men  will  give  no 
tice,  that  the  land  may  be  united. 

"  I  came  to  bring  you  my  body.  I  have  always  be 
lieved  that  I  should  not  return  by  the  same  route  that  I 


250  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Kefusal  of  the  Request— Council  terminated. 

came.  My  design  has  always  been,  after  having  seen 
you,  to  go  to  see  M.  la  Motte. 

"  My  father,  my  father — M.  la  Motte  has  acted  like 
the  porcupine ;  he  would  not  go  to  see  his  little  ones. 
He  called  us — the  four  Outawa  nations — to  Detroit ;  but, 
after  having  made  an  opening  in  the  tree,  as  does  the 
porcupine  to  give  food  to  her  children,  he  left  us.  If  he, 
or  M.  Tonti,  or  M.  la  Forest,  had  been  at  Detroit,  all 
this  trouble  would  not  have  happened. 

"  My  father — I  beg  you  to  send  by  the  great  river,  a 
man  who  will  be  attentive  to  our  interests ;  and  to  give 
me  an  interpreter  who  understands  me  well,  that  I  may 
not  be  wearied  by  the  way.  Give  me  also  men  strong 
and  swift,  that  we  may  go  the  quicker." 

This  request  for  an  envoy  was  well  understood  by  the 
governor-general,  as  a  mere  subterfuge  of  the  savages 
to  enable  them  to  get  possession  of  a  French  hostage  for 
their  own  security.  Aware  that  a  discussion  of  the  sub 
ject  and  a  continuation  of  the  councils,  could  not  be  pro 
ductive  of  any  good,  he  merely  replied  to  the  chiefs  that 
he  had  no  envoy  to  give  them,  and  that  they  were  now 
perfectly  aware  of  his  wishes. 

"With  assurances  of  protection  on  his  part,  and  fidelity 
»nd  submission  on  theirs,  the  council  was  dismissed. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  chiefs  proceed  to  Detroit — First  council  held  by  M.  la  Motte,  August 
6th,  1707 — M.  la  Motte  addresses  the  savages — Second  council :  Oton- 
tagon  replies — Third  council :  M.  la  Motte  addresses  the  Hurons  and 
Miamis — Sastarexy  replies — Fourth  council :  a  general  council  of  the 
Outawas,  Hurons,  and  Miamis — M.  la  Motte' s  speech — Otontagon, 
Sastarexy,  and  Onaske  address  the  council — M.  la  Motte  demands  the 
delivery  of  Le  Pesant  into  the  hands  of  the  French — The  chiefs  finally 
accede  to  the  demand. 

OBEDIENT  to  the  orders  of  the  governor-general,  Jean 
le  Blanc,  Kinonge,  Meaninan,  and  Menekoumak,  four 
chiefs  of  the  Outawas,  proceeded  to  Detroit,  to  meet  M. 
la  Motte.  The  remainder  of  their  party  returned  to 
Michilimackinac  by  way  of  the  Ottawa  river. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  chiefs  at  Fort  Pontchartrain,  a 
great  council  was  convened,  August  6th,  1707,  and  con 
tinued  from  day  to  day  until  August  10th. 

M.  la  Motte  Cadillac,  who  had  been  fully  acquitted  by 
Count  Pontchartrain  of  all  the  charges  preferred  against 
him,  and  restored  to  his  official  station  as  commandant, 
was  now  convinced,  by  the  course  pursued  by  M.  Vau- 
dreuil,  that  it  was  deemed  expedient  by  the  colonial  gov 
ernment  to  wear,  at  least,  the  appearance  of  friendship. 

Gratified  at  the  favorable  change,  whatever  might  be 


252  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Chiefs  arrive  at  Detroit — Council. 

the  motives,  lie  brought  all  the  energy  of  his  mind  and 
the  fruit  of  his  long  experience  to  bear  upon  the  adjust 
ment  of  this  difficult  and  important  affair. 

Adapting  his  mode  of  expression  to  the  customs  of  the 
savages,  he  opened  the  first  council  with  the  following 
characteristic  speech : 

"  Otontagon,  Kinonge,  and  others,  hear  me  patiently. 
I  will  not  repeat  the  words  you  have  said  to  Onontio,  nor 
his  replies ;  you  know  as  well  as  I  what  they  were. 

"  M.  Vaudreuil  writes  me  that  he  sends  you  here  with 
the  two  captives  you  offered  him.  He  makes  me  master 
of  peace,  and  leaves  the  whole  matter  with  me,  telling 
me  to  use  whatever  means  I  think  best  to  restore  tran 
quillity  to  the  nations. 

"  Otontagon,  hear  me !  I  have  lighted  a  great  fire.  I 
have  planted  four  great  trees  near  this  beautiful  fire,  two 
on  my  right  hand  and  two  on  my  left. 

"  Outawas !  you  are  the  largest  tree :  I  have  said  to 
myself,  c  It  is  well :  now  I  will  often  repose  under  the 
shadow  of  this  tree :  I  will  refresh  myself  there  :  under 
its  shadow  I  shall  have  only  good  thoughts !' 

"  Could  I  believe  that  any  one  had  attached  to  the  top 
of  this  great  tree  a  sharp  and  heavy  hatchet,  which  I  did 
not  see,  because  it  was  covered  with  foliage'? 

"  While  I  slept  peacefully,  and  dreamed  only  of  peace, 
a  wicked  bear  climbed  to  the  top  of  this  tree.  He  shook 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  253 


Speech  of  M.  la  Motte— Demands  Le  Pesant 


it  with  all  his  might,  and  the  hatchet  which  hung  there 
fell  upon  my  cabin,  and  crushed  it. 

"  When  I  saw  my  cabin  in  ruins.,  my  heart  was  dis 
pleased  ;  it  darted  to  the  right  and  to  the  left ;  it  ascended 
even  to  my  throat.  I  then  said,  4 1  will  cut  down  this 
tree,  I  will  root  it  out,  I  will  reduce  it  to  ashes.'  But 
when  rny  heart  had  nearly  regained  its  place,  I  said, 
'  Why  destroy  this  tree,  its  leaves,  and  its  fruits  ?  I  pity 
the  women  and  children.  This  drunken  bear  has  done 
all  the  mischief;  he  has  intoxicated  all  the  children ;  he 
has  deprived  them  of  their  senses.  He  must  die,  and  I 
must  give  the  others  life.' 

"  Outawas !  listen  well  to  my  final  resolution.  I  de 
mand  that  you  deliver  to  me  Le  Pesant,  he  whom  you 
call  the  wicked  bear ;  that  you  place  him  at  my  disposal 
here  in  this  place  where  he  has  offended  me.  I  wish 
you  to  give  me  full  power  over  him,  to  give  him  life  or 
to  put  him  to  death. 

"  If  he  refuses  to  embark,  I  command  you  to  cut  off 
his  head  in  your  own  village.  This  is  the  only  means  by 
which  I  can  give  you  peace.  I  do  not  kill  him,  but  he 
kills  himself. 

•  "  Outawas!  avoid  the  perils  which  threaten  you! 
Save  your  own  lives  !  Have  pity  on  your  women  and 
children!  Nothing  can  make  me  change  my  deter 
mination.  It  is  your  business ;  attend  to  it  I  Deliberate 


254  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN". 

Second  Council— Speech  of  Otontagon. 

among  yourselves ;  decide  on  the  course  you  will  pur 
sue,  and  give  me  a  reply  in  a  few  words,  before  the 
going  down  of  the  sun. 

"  Onontio  and  I  have  one  heart,  and  the  same  thoughts. 
Those  that  say  differently  of  us  are  liars ;  he  will  confirm 
all  I  do,  whether  for  peace  or  war." 

A  second  council  was  held  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day.  Otontagon's  speech : 

"  My  father — "We  are  surprised  at  your  require 
ments.  The  bear  whom  you  demand  of  us  is  very 
powerful  in  our  village.  He  has  strong  alliances  with 
all  the  nations  of  the  lakes.  He  is  a  great  tree  !  "Who 
is  strong  enough  to  root  it  up  ? 

"  We  have  thought  on  this  subject ;  it  is  difficult ;  but 
as  nothing  can  move  you,  and  as  your  heart  is  hard  as  a 
rock,  we  must  obey  you.  We  only  beg  of  you  to  spare 
us  the  pain  of  bringing  him  to  you  ourselves.  Send  a 
boat  with  us  to  Michilimackinac,  and  we  will  put  Le 
Pesant  into  it,  as  you  demand ;  and  you  will  be  master 
of  his  life  or  of  his  death.  If  he  refuse  to  embark,  we 
will  cut  off  his  head.  He  is  my  brother,  my  own 
brother ;  but  what  can  I  do  ?  You  must  be  obeyed,  and 
this  is  what  you  have  demanded,  and  what  we  have  de 
cided  among  ourselves." 

M.  la  Motte  immediately  replied : 

"  By  this  means  you  will  have  peace ;  your  women 


EAELY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  255 

Third  Council— Hurons  and  Miamis. 

and  children  will  rejoice,  and  I  will  forget  the  mischief 
you  have  done  me." 

The  third  council  was  held  August  7th.  M.  la  Motte 
addressed  the  Hurons  and  Miamis : 

"  Sastarexy  !  Miamis,  listen  to  me !  I  have  promised 
you  that  I  would  never  make  peace  with  the  Outawas, 
except  by  the  death  of  Le  Pesant,  because  I  have  always 
regarded  him  as  the  author  of  all  the  mischief  which  has 
been  done  here.  You  have  said  that  you  would  be  con 
tent  with  this  satisfaction. 

"  I  have  demanded  Le  Pesant  of  the  Outawas,  and 
they  have  given  me  a  favorable  reply." 

La  Motte  then  repeated  to  the  Hurons  and  Miamis 
the  proceedings  in  the  councils  held  with  the  Outawas. 

Reply  of  Sastarexy,  chief  of  the  Hurons : 

"My  father — Let  us  say  to  you  that  we  cannot  be 
lieve  that  the  Outawas  will  do  what  they  have  promised ; 
for  who  is  he  that  can  overturn  so  great  a  tree,  whose 
roots,  they  themselves  say,  are  so  deep  in  the  earth,  and 
whose  branches  extend  over  all  the  lakes  ?  There  is  meat 
here,  why  go  farther  to  seek  it  ?  One  is  certain,  the  other 
uncertain." 

M.  la  Motte's  rejoinder  : 

"  You  have  always  told  me  that  you  would  be  satis 
fied  if  Le  Pesant  were  destroyed.  I  have  promised  you 
that  it  shall  be  done.  The  more  difficult  the  thing  ap- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Fourth  Council— All  the  Nations. 


pears,  the  more  it  will  convince  you  of  the  great  power 
of  Onontio  and  myself,  and  that  nothing  can  resist  the 
might  of  the  French." 

The  fourth  council  was  held  August  Tth — a  general 
council  of  the  Outawas,  Hurons,  and  Miamis.  M.  la 
Motte's  speech : 

"  Otontagon,  and  all  the  Outawas,  listen  to  me : 

"  Here  are  the  Hurons  and  Miamis  who  listen  to  the 
French,  and  who  regard  us.  I  have  related  to  them  the 
proposition  I  have  made  to  you,  and  your  replies,  and 
the  promise  you  have  given  to  do  me  a  favor. 

"  Otontagon,  you  who  bear  the  words  of  your  people, 
relate  to  the  Hurons  and  Miamis  what  you  have  decided 
in  regard  to  Le  Pesant." 

Otontagon  replied : 

"  If  I  were  not  in  the  presence  of  my  father,  I  should 
be  angry,  because  our  brothers,  the  Hurons,  take  us  for 
liars ;  and  you  also,  Miamis,  our  allies. 

"  We  are  a  people  strong  and  resolute  ;  it  were  to  be 
wished  that  Le  Pesant  were  here  present ;  I  would  my 
self  immediately  cut  off  his  head,  and  he  should  not 
again  see  the  light  I  It  is  enough  that  La  Motte  requires 
a  thing ;  he  never  changes  his  mind,  and  can  we 
change?" 

Eeply  of  Sastarexy,  the  Huron : 

"  My  father — For  a  long  time  the  Outawas  have  con- 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  257 

Captives  offered  to  the  Huron*  and  Miamis. 

turned  to  kill  us.  They  have  always  said  to  us,  wait, 
wait !  I  beg  you  to  render  us  justice.  Our  chiefs  have 
been  killed;  they  are  yet  extended,  bleeding,  on  the 
ground." 

La  Motte  then  brought  forward  a  captive,  whom  he 
offered  to  the  Hurons,  saying : 

"  Sastarexy,  my  son,  here  is  a  little  meat,  which  I  give 
you  to  resuscitate  the  dead.  I  do  not  say  it  will  entirely 
restore  them.  As  soon  as  the  Outawas  have  made  the 
satisfaction  which  I  have  demanded  of  them,  I  will  throw 
water  upon  the  earth,  and  that  will  wash  it.  I  will  so 
entirely  cover  the  blood,  that  it  shall  appear  no  longer." 

He  also  presented  a  captive  to  the  Miamis,  addressing 
them  in  like  manner.  The  Miamis  made  the  following 
answer : 

"  My  father — -I  have  already  said  that  Pakoumakoua 
was  to  come  to  hear  and  answer  you.  He  has  fallen 
sick ;  but  he  said  to  us,  '  My  children,  go  and  see  what 
your  father  wishes,  and  return  and  bring  us  the  news.' 

"  I  will  say  to  the  old  men,  that  it  is  well ;  that  peace 
is  made.  I  beg  of  you  that  I  may  leave  this  meat  here 
till  the  old  men  shall  come ;  they  may  take  it  them 
selves,  if  they  think  proper.  For  me,  I  can  decide  on 
nothing ;  I  came  here  only  to  hear." 

The  news  brought  to  Michilimackinac,  by  the  Outa 
was  who  returned  from  Quebec  by  way  of  the  Outawa 

17 


258  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Keception  of  the  Kiskakons  at  Detroit 

river,  created  the  utmost  consternation  among  the  tribes 
concerned  in  the  difficulty.  After  consulting  together, 
and  asking  the  advice  of  Father  Marest,  their  mission 
ary,  Onaske  and  Koutaouiliboe,  two  chiefs  of  the  Kiska 
kons,  resolved  to  descend  to  Detroit,  under  the  protection 
of  a  flag  of  truce,  and  add  their  influence  to  conciliate 
M.  la  Motte,  whose  resolute  character  was  well  known. 
They  arrived  on  the  8th  of  August,  in  the  midst  of  the 
councils,  very  much  to  the  surprise  of  all  parties.  Their 
white  flag  was  respected,  and  they  were  admitted  into 
the  council.  The  manner  of  their  reception  may  be  in 
ferred  from  the  colloquy  which  took  place  between  M. 
la  Motte  and  Onaske : 

"What  brings  you  here,  Onaske?  Did  Onontio  tell 
you  to  come  ?  Is  peace  made  ?  Are  we  friends  ?  Am 
I  avenged  3" 

Onaske  replied :  "  My  father,  you  have  long  known 
me ;  I  go  everywhere  with  my  head  lifted  up,  because  I 
never  have  any  bad  affairs.  I  said  within  myself,  M.  la 
Motte,  my  father,  knows  me ;  I  believe  I  risk  nothing  in 
going  to  see  him.  I  have  confidence  in  him." 

M.  la  Motte.  "  How  dare  you  say  that  you  never  have 
bad  affairs ;  that  you  never  make  war  ?  Your  people, 
your  nation,  did  they  not  come  to  Detroit  to  aid  the  Outa- 
was,  who  have  killed  me  ?  I  think  you  are  very  bold 
to  come  here,  while  my  land  is  still  smoking  with  my 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  259 

Continuance  of  the  Indian  Councils. 

blood  and  that  of  my  children.  When  people  grow  old, 
they  usually  grow  wise ;  but  you  have  grown  foolish. 
Tell  me,  then,  your  real  design  in  coming  here;  you 
must  have  other  reasons  than  those  you  have  given. 
Speak !" 

Onaske  immediately  responded :  "  It  is  the  misery 
in  which  I  am,  that  has  caused  me  to  throw  myself  into 
your  arms.  We  are  wretched.  Our  children  have  eaten 
grass  all  summer;  they  are  compelled  to  boil  it  and 
drink  the  soup !  Misery  is  a  strange  thing ! 

"  I  have  risked  every  thing,  even  death  !  Death,  did 
I  say  ?  I  will  die  by  the  hand  of  my  father ;  perhaps  he 
will  have  pity  on  me.  We  shall  have  no  Indian  corn 
this  year,  and  our  children  will  all  die!  But  for  me, 
the  whole  nation  would  have  come  to  Detroit ;  but  I  said 
to  them,  be  patient  and  await  my  return." 

La  Motte,  assuming  an  appearance  of  great  displeas 
ure,  exclaimed:  "If  you  die  of  famine,  so  much  the 
better  !  You  have  killed  my  children — you  have  struck 
me — and  Heaven  punishes  you  for  it.  I  will  soon  other 
wise  avenge  mysetf.  Go  away ;  you  are  very  bold  !". 

The  next  day,  August  9th,  La  Motte  held  a  council 
with  the  Hurons,  and  related  to  them  the  proceedings  of 
the  previous  day,  in  the  council  with  the  Kiskakons.  He 
then  addressed  Sastarexy,  the  Huron  orator,  as  follows : 

"  Sastarexy,  my  son,  I  have  never  had  any  thing  con- 


260  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Speech  of  Sastarexy — Professes  obedience. 

cealed  from  you ;  my  heart  lias  always  been  yours,  even 
to  the  palm  of  my  hand.  I  beg  you  now  to  tell  me  your 
thoughts  ;  not  entirely — I  am  satisfied  if  you  only  show 
me  what  are  your  designs ;  whether  for  peace  or  for  war. 
Open  your  heart  to  me  to-day." 

After  some  deliberation,  Sastarexy  replied : 

"  My  father — "We  have  always  told  you  that  we  would 
follow  your  footsteps;  you  shall  always  be  our  guide. 
We  are  your  obedient  children ;  we  are  under  your  pro 
tection.  You  have  given  us  a  good  land,  and  you  were 
under  many  obligations  to  do  so.  Nothing  can  induce 
us  to  leave  this  land,  and  we  will  never  disobey  your 
wishes.  Make  peace  or  make  war,  we  will  approve  of 
whatever  you  do ;  it  is  not  for  a  good  child  to  find  fault 
with  what  his  father  does.  We  have  all  confidence  in 
you." 

M.  la  Motte.  "  I  thank  you,  Sastarexy.  It  is  true  that 
formerly  the  Outawa  was  my  eldest  son ;  but  since  then 
he  has  removed  his  fire  from  here,  and  committed  an 
enormous  disobedience.  If  he  returns  to  his  duty,  he 
shall  be  my  younger  son. 

"And  you,  Ilurons,  congratulate  yourselves  that  to 
day,  by  your  obedience,  you  have  taken  the  place  of 
your  elder  brother  in  my  heart  and  in  my  favor.  Con 
gratulate  yourselves  in  having  profited  by  a  goodly 
heritage." 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  261 

General  Council — La  Motte's  terms  accepted. 

4 _ 

The  last  council  was  held  by  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac, 
with  the  four  Outawa  chiefs  from  Montreal,  and  the  two 
chiefs  of  the  Kiskakons  from  Michilimackinac.  M.  la 
Motte  first  addressed  the  Outawa  chief,  Otontagon : 

"You,  Kinonge,  and  the  other  chiefs,  are  well  in 
formed  of  my  resolution,  and  you  know  the  promise  you 
have  made  rne.  Upon  the  fulfillment  of  that  pro'mise 
depends  the  peace  which  you  desire.  Onaske!  Kou- 
taouiliboe !  listen  while  Otontagon  tells  you  the  result  of 
the  councils,  and  decide  what  you  will  do. 

"  Have  pity  on  your  children,  who  have  eaten  grass 
all  summer,  and  for  whom  you  have  felt  such  tenderness 
that  you  were  willing  to  risk  your  life  by  coming  here." 
•  Otontagon  then  tremblingly  related,  in  a  few  words, 
the  demand  of  M.  la  Motte,  and  the  engagement  into 
which  they  had  entered  for  its  accomplishment. 

Onaske  immediately  replied :  "I  thank  you,  my  broth 
ers,  Otontagon,  and  all  the  Outawa  chiefs.  It  is  very 
true  that  this  affair  is  of  great  importance ;  but  our  fa 
ther,  M.  la  Motte,  demands  Le  Pesant's  life;  if  he 
wishes,  it  must  be  so.  I  know  my  father,  and  he 
knows  me ;  when  he  wishes  a  thing,  it  must  be  done ; 
he  does  not  change  his  mind.  In  this  I  agree  with 
him. 

"  Otontagon,  my  nephewT,  Le  Pesant  is  your  flesh ; 
Kinonge  is  also  your  flesh.  Be  firm ;  it  is  just  that  this 


262  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Chieis  dismissed  with  Threats  and  Promises. 

« . 

dog,  who  has  bitten  both  of  us  to  the  bone,  should  be 
destroyed. 

"  Who  can  effect  any  thing  in  my  nation  but  me  ?  I 
speak  in  the  hearing  of  Manitouabe,  of  Koutaouiliboe, 
of  Sakima,  and  of  Nanakouena.  I  am  strong!  I  thank 
my  father  for  having  declared,  to  me  his  thought.  I 
thank  you,  my  brothers,  for  the  promise  you  have  made 
him.  "We  must  either  keep  it,  and  live  in  peace,  or  die !" 

La  Motte  then  remarked :  "  I  had  resolved  to  cause 
your  furs  to  be  taken  away ;  I  would  not  have  given  you 
even  a  bone  to  gnaw,  and  you  should  have  had  nothing 
to  support  your  children.  But,  on  account  of  your  words, 
I  allow  you  to  trade,  and  to  take  away  with  you  what 
will  be  necessary  for  your  subsistence  ;  but  do  not  abuse 
my  kindness. 

"  If  you  fail  to  fulfill  your  promise,  you  will  fall  into 
greater  misery  than  before.  I  shall  have  dull  ears  for 
ever,  and  will  never  again  entertain  thoughts  of  peace. 
Tell  your  people  that  peace  will  be  concluded  only  when 
the  satisfaction  which  I  demand  shall  be  rendered ;  and 
until  then,  they  must  come  here  no  more. 

"  After  the  surrender  of  Le  Pesant,  you  may  all  come 
with  a  high  head ;  I  will  smooth  the  way." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Outawas  and  Kiskakons  return  to  Michilimackinac — M.  St.  Pierre  and 
soldiers  from  Detroit  accompany  them — Grand  council  convened — 
Difficulties  settled — Le  Pesant  delivered  up — Sent  under  guard  to 
Detroit — M.  St.  Pierre  returns  to  Quebec  with  Koutaouiliboe  and 
Sakima — They  arrive  at  Quebec,  October  7th,  1707 — Council  convened 
— Speech  of  Koutaouiliboe,  giving  a  minute  statement  of  affairs  at 
Detroit  and  Michilimackinac — Second  council,  governor-general's 
reply — Dismisses  the  chiefs  with  presents — Letter  from  the  governor- 
general  to  Father  Marest,  missionary  at  Michilimackinac. 

FINDING  themselves  compelled  to  accept  tlie  terms  of 
M.  la  Motte,  the  chiefs  of  the  Outawas  and  Kiskakons 
returned  to  Michilimackinac,  accompanied  by  M.  St. 
Pierre.  On  their  arrival  a  grand  council  was  held  by 
the  French  envoy  and  the  surrounding  nations,  which 
had  been  gathered  by  the  instrumentality  of  Koutaou 
iliboe.  All  difficulties  were  satisfactorily  adjusted,  and 
Le  Pesant  was  delivered  into  the  custody  of  the  soldiers 
gent  from  Detroit  for  that  purpose. 

M.  St.  Pierre,  whose  mission  was  accomplished,  im 
mediately  set  out  on  his  return  to  Quebec,  accompanied 
by  Koutaouiliboe,  chief  of  the  Kiskakons,  and  Sakima, 
chief  of  the  Sinagos.  These  chiefs  were  charged  with  a 
letter  to  the  governor-general  from  Father  Marest,  mis 
sionary  at  Michilimackinac.  They  arrived  at  Quebec, 


264:  EAELY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Speech  of  Koutaouiliboe  in  Council  at  Quebec. 

October  7th,  1707.  In  a  council  held  soon  after  their 
arrival,  J£outaouiliboe  gave  the  following  minute  account 
of  the  proceedings  at  Detroit  and  Michilimackinac  : 

"  My  father — Sakima  and  I  have  finally  arrived  before 
you,  to  show  you  how  obedient  we  are  to  your  orders, 
and  to  inform  you  of  all  that  has  occurred  at  Michili 
mackinac  and  Detroit  during  the  past  summer. 

u  My  father — When  we  sent  Jean  le  Blanc  and  the 
other  chiefs  from  Michilimackinac  to  appease  your 
anger,  they  promised  to  use  the  utmost  diligence  to  re 
turn,  as  we  were  waiting  very  impatiently  to  know  your 
will.  But  you  thought  proper  to  send  Jean  le  Blanc  and 
the  principal  chiefs  to  Detroit.  As  soon  as  the  rest  of 
the  party,  who  came  by  the  great  river,  arrived  at  Mich 
ilimackinac,  they  gave  us  an  account  of  their  voyage, 
and  told  us  that  M.  St.  Pierre,  whom  you  had  sent  with 
Jean  le  Blanc  to  Detroit,  was  to  return  by  the  way  of 
Michilimackinac  and  speak  to  the  nations. 

"I  rose  up  then,  iny  father — for  you  know  I  have 
always  had  a  French  heart — and  demanded  of  the  young 
men,  as  well  as  the  old,  whether  they  were  all  asleep, 
and  if  they  did  not  understand  the  news  which  was 
brought  to  them  from  Montreal.  '  What,'  said  I,  '  M.  St. 
Pierre  in  Detroit,  and  coming  this  way  to  speak  to  the 
nations,  and  you  pay  not  the  least  attention  to  the  word 
of  your  father !  Go,  young  men,  bear  this  news  to  the 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  265 


Arrival  at  Detroit— Eeception  by  M.  St.  Pierre. 


Sauteurs,  the  Noquens,  the  Folle-Avoines,  the  Pottawa- 
tomies,  the  Sacs,  the  Puans,  and  the  Outagamies — that 
on  the  arrival  of  M.  St.  Pierre  he  may  find  them  all 
here,  that  nothing  may  retard  the  will  of  Onontio.'  We 
waited  long,  and  St.  Pierre  did  not  come ;  then  I  said 
to  the  old  men,  c  What  does  this  mean  ?  Can  it  be  that 
some  accident  has  befallen  M.  St.  Pierre,  and  thus  the 
message  of  our  father  is  delayed  ?  I  will  go  to  Detroit 
to  meet  M.  St.  Pierre,  and  if  he  has  not  arrived  I  will 
wait  for  him.' 

"  My  father — When  I  arrived  at  Detroit  I  found  M. 
St.  Pierre  acting  as  interpreter  for  M.  la  Motte.  He 
demanded  of  me,  in  an  angry  tone,  where  I  was  going. 
My  heart  was  frozen  by  the  manner  in  which  M.  St. 
Pierre  spoke  to  me,  when  I  had  come  to  Detroit  only  on 
good  business,  and  had  left  Michilimackinac  only  to  be 
sooner  informed  of  the  will  of  my  father.  The  next  day 
M.  la  Motte  sent  me  word  by  M.  St.  Pierre,  that  I  might 
return  with  Onaske,  if  I  wished,  but  the  women  and 
children,  and  all  my  peltries,  must  remain  till  affairs 
should  be  settled.  I  replied  to  M.  la  Motte,  that  the 
business  on  which  Onontio  had  sent  M.  St.  Pierre  was 
important,  but  my  peltries  were  of  no  consequence ;  that 
as  I  had  come  to  Detroit  in  good  faith,  if  he  would  not 
let  me  barter  them  there,  I  could  easily  carry  them  back 
again. 


266  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Conference  between  Jean  le  Blanc  and  Koutaouiliboe. 

"  My  father — When  I  saw  that  M.  la  Motte  would  not 
receive  my  furs,  I  was  convinced  that  something  had 
been  concealed  from  me ;  for  our  people  had  told  us,  on 
their  return  from  Michilimackinac,  that  you,  my  father, 
had  demanded  the  head  of  Le  Pesant.  I  then  asked 
Jean  le  Blanc  why  the  Kiskakons,  being  French,  were 
not  permitted  to  trade  at  Detroit,  while  the  Outawas, 
who  had  caused  all  the  trouble,  had  entire  freedom.  He 
told  me  he  was  very  glad  to  see  me,  and  would  hide 
nothing  from  me.  He  said  that  you,  Onontio,  had  de 
manded  the  head  of  Le  Pesant  to  atone  for  the  blood  of 
Father  Recollet.  Not  being  quite  able  to  promise  you 
full  satisfaction — because  this  wicked  bear  was  like  a 
great  tree,  having  such  strong  roots  that  it  was  difficult 
to  tear  it  up — Onontio  had  sent  him  to  Detroit  to  meet 
M.  la  Motte  in  council,  that  they  might  find  means  to 
give  satisfaction  to  Onontio,  and  make  peace  with  the 
other  nations.  But  La  Motte,  who,  in  Detroit,  was 
another  Onontio,  sternly  demanded  Le  Pesant  as  the 
only  satisfaction,  and  he  had  finally  concluded  to  sur 
render  him. 

"  The  next  day  Otontagon  and  Kinonge,  or,  as  you  call 
them,  Jean  le  Blanc  and  Brochet,  Onaske  and  I,  met  M. 
la  Motte  in  council,  and  we  all  promised  to  deliver  up 
Le  Pesant  to  M.  la  Motte ;  and  I  told  them  if  Le  Pesant 
would  not  come  to  Detroit,  I  would  cut  off  his  head  in 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  267 

St.  Pierre  and  Chiefs  arrive  at  Michilimackinac. 

our  own  village.  M.  la  Motte  then  told  me  that  I  might 
trade  with  my  furs.  What,  then,  was  his  thought  ?  Did 
M.  la  Motte  suppose  that,  by  retaining  my  furs,  he  would 
cause  me  the  sooner  to  execute  his  will  ?  Does  he  not 
know  that  interest  is  nothing  to  me,  but  that  I  am  always 
obedient  to  my  father  ?  I  told  M.  la  Motte  that  Le  Pe- 
sant  was  not  our  relative,  therefore  it  was  for  Jean  le 
Blanc  and  Kinonge  to  deliver  him  up.  As  for  us,  we 
should  always  be  ready  to  give  them  all  the  help  they 
might  need.  It  was  enough  for  us  that  we  were  doing 
the  will  of  Onontio. 

"In  the  evening  M.  la  Motte  told  us  that  M.  St.  Pierre 
would  depart  for  Michilimackinac  on  the  morrow,  and  it 
would  be  best  for  us  to  embark  and  follow  his  flag,  as 
there  were  three  bands  of  Miamis  who  might  easily  at 
tack  us  on  the  way.  "When  M.  St.  Pierre  drew  near 
Michilimackinac,  he  said  that  he  would  not  land — he 
would  only  draw  his  boat  upon  the  sand,  and  Le  Pesant 
must  be  delivered  to  him  immediately,  or  have  his  head 
broken.  I  replied :  c  My  brother — What  you  say  is  of 
value;  but  all  men  have  not  the  heart  placed  alike, 
hence  business  is  not  always  as  quickly  done  as  one 
might  wish.  Although  we  have  given  our  word  to 
Onontio  and  M.  la  Motte,  this  affair  is  of  the  utmost  im 
portance,  and  we  cannot  be  too  cautious  in  our  move 
ments  in  regard  to  it.  When  M.  Louvigny  came  to  take 


268  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

General  Council  of  the  Northwestern  Tribes. 

away  the  Iroquois,  he  found  it  necessary  that  he  should 
know  all  hearts,  and  listen  patiently  to  all  the  reasons.' 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  all  that  took  place  ;  but  on  land 
ing,  M.  St.  Pierre  found  that  the  young  men  whom  I 
sent  out  before  going  to  Detroit  had  notified  the  nations, 
and  there  were  assembled  the  Kiskakons,  the  Sinagos, 
the  nations  of  the  Sable  and  Fourche,  the  Sauteurs,  the 
Coquets,  the  Folle-Avoines,  the  Pottawatomies,  the  Sacs, 
the  Puans,  and  the  Outagamies.  They  had  come  to 
meet  M.  St.  Pierre  in  council,  having  forgotten  all  their 
old  quarrels  between  themselves,  and  meeting  together 
as  real  brothers. 

"Three  days  after  our  arrival,  when  the  distant  na 
tions  had  departed  for  their  homes,  we  brought  this 
affair  of  Le  Pesant  into  the  council.  We  had  not  dared 
to  speak  of  it  while  the  nations  were  assembled,  as  he  is 
allied  to  almost  all  of  them.  I  will  boldly  say  to  you, 
my  father,  that  it  was  Onaske,  Sakima,  Meyagila,  and  I, 
the  chiefs  of  the  Kiskakons  and  Sinagos,  who  obliged  Le 
Pesant  to  embark  for  Detroit  to  meet  M.  la  Motte,  ac 
cording  to  your  wish.  If  there  had  been  only  Jean  le 
Blanc,  he  would  never  have  dared  attack  this  great  tree. 
But  your  children  of  Michilimackinac  were  all  resolved 
to  break  his  head  if  he  would  not  embark,  rather  than 
to  see.  ourselves,  for  the  love  of  him,  exposed  to  your 
anger. 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  269 

Spec-ch  of  M.  Vaudreuil— Le  Pesant— La  Motte. 

"  My  father — Our  fear  is  that  M.  la  Motte  will  not  put 
Le  Pesant  to  death ;  and  that,  remembering  that  we  de 
livered  him  up,  he  will  seek  to  avenge  himself. 

"  My  father — Sakima  begs  that  you  will  pardon  him 
for  not  having  brought  with  him  captives  to  offer  to  his 
brothers  the  Iroquois.  He  would  not  have  come  down 
now,  if  the  desire  of  testifying  to  you  his  obedience  had 
not  overcome  his  fear  that  you  would  reproach  him  for 
having  failed  to  fulfill  his  promise.  He  renews  that 
promise  to  you,  my  father,  and  you  will  not  have  cause 
to  complain  of  him." 

The  next  day  the  council  was  again  convened,  and  the 
governor-general  replied  as  follows  : 

"  Koutaouiliboe — I  have  learned  from  the  account 
you  gave  me  yesterday,  also  from  M.  St.  Pierre,  and 
from  the  letters  of  M.  la  Motte,  all  that  has  occurred  at 
Michilimackinac  and  Detroit  in  regard  to  Le  Pesant, 
that  bear  who  has  made  trouble  for  so  long  a  time.  I 
am  glad  that  my  children  at  Michilimackinac  have  at 
last  opened  their  eyes  to  their  own  interest;  and  that 
according  to  my  will  they  have  sent  to  M.  la  Motte  the 
only  obstacle  that  prevented  my  making  a  solid  peace 
with  them. 

"  At  Detroit,  M.  la  Motte  is  another  myself,  as  he  has 
my  orders,  and  I  am  persuaded  that  he  will  follow  them 
in  every  point,  and  that,  having  Le  Pesant  in  his  hands, 


270  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Expressions  of  kind  feeling — Peace — General  orders. 

he  will  dispose  of  him  as  shall  be  necessary  to  promote  a 
lasting  peace. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  here.  I  always  knew  that 
Koutaouiliboe  had  a. good  mind  and  a  French  heart,  and 
I  have  for  him  a  real  esteem.  I  have  not  the  less  for 
Sakima,  although  he  has  not  brought  me  by  this  voyage 
the  captives  he  promised,  to  give  to  his  brothers  the 
Iroquois.  I  will  not  speak  of  it,  however,  on  condition 
that  he  will  send  them  to  me  as  soon  as  possible  next 
year,  that  the  Iroquois  may  not  reproach  me  with  telling 
a  lie,  and  seeking  to  deceive  them. 

"  I  will  not  detain  you,  my  children ;  the  season  is 
far  advanced,  depart  when  you  please.  Carry  to  your 
brothers  the  good  news  that  peace  is  made;  that  by 
their  obedience  in  sending  Le  Pesant  to  M.  la  Motte, 
they  have  entirely  disarmed  my  anger. 

"  You  can  now  go  to  Detroit  and  come  to  Montreal ; 
these  two  doors  are  open  to  you ;  only  remember  all  your 
life,  and  tell  it  to  all  your  nation,  that  the  blood  of  the 
French  is  valuable,  and  the  people  who  in  future  shall 
shed  it  shall  not  have  my  pardon,  unless  they  bring  me 
the  head  of  him  who  has  committed  the  deed.  I  am 
very  glad  that  all  the  nations  were  assembled  to  meet 
M.  St.  Pierre,  and  that  you  were  united,  as  real  brothers 
ought  to  be.  Continue  in  sentiments  that  are  so  advan 
tageous  to  you;  and  since  the  country  is  once  more 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN-.  271 

Deputation  dismissed  with  Presents. 

united,  take  care  to  do  nothing  in  future  that  might  dis 
turb  its  quiet.  Always  listen  to  my  words,  and  to  what 
M.  la  Motte  shall  say  in  my  name,  when  you  are  at  De 
troit,  and  listen  also  to  Father  Marest,  when  he  shall 
carry  you  my  message.  As  you  all  have  the  French 
heart,  I  recommend  Father  Marest  to  your  protection, 
that  you  prevent  any  insult  being  offered  him.  On  your 
arrival  at  Montreal,  I  will  cause  two  blankets  to  be  given 
each  of  you ;  also  powder  and  balls,  tobacco,  and  provi 
sions  sufficient  for  your  journey.  They  will  also  give  you 
ten  pounds  of  tobacco  to  carry  to  Father  Marest.  Be 
careful  always  to  remember  what  I  have  said  to  you." 

On  the  return  of  Koutaouiliboe  and  Sakima  to  Michi- 
limackinac,  M.  Yaudreuil  sent  the  subjoined  letter  to 
Father  Marest.  It  shows  the  perfect  understanding 
which  existed  between  them,  and  in  some  respects  con 
firms  the  statements  of  M.  la  Motte : 

"  REV.  FATHER  : — I  received  your  letter  of  the  8th  of 
September  by  M.  St.  Pierre,  who  arrived  here  the  7th 
of  this  month  with  Koutaouiliboe,  Sakima,  and  another 
young  man.  I  have  showed  many  attentions  to  Kouta 
ouiliboe  ;  and  you  will  see  by  my  reply  to  them  in  coun 
cil,  of  which  I  send  you  a  copy,  that  I  expressed  myself 
well  pleased  with  the  conduct  of  the  Outawas  in  sending 
Le  Pesant  to  M.  la  Motte. 


272  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Letter  from  the  Governor-general  to  Father_Marest. 

"  What  you  say  of  Jean  le  Blanc  gives  me  much 
pleasure,  though  M.  St.  Pierre  endeavored  to  make  me 
suspicious  of  him.  I  hardly  believe,  after  what  I  have 
said  to  him,  and  what  he  has  promised,  that  he  will,  in 
future,  make  any  trouble.  I  believe  he  will  do  his  best 
to  settle  this  difficulty  with  M.  la  Motte. 

"As  the  court  wishes  the  establishment  of  Detroit, 
that,  of  course,  is  also  my  pleasure ;  and  it  is  for  M.  la 
Motte  to  decide  whether  it  will  be  more  advantageous 
to  his  post  to  have  the  Outawas  return  there,  or  to  allow 
them  to  remain  at  Michilimackinac. 

"  Although  M.  Pontchar train  found  fault  with  you  for 
being  absent  two  years  from  your  mission  at  Michili 
mackinac,  he,  at  the  same  time,  signified  to  me  that  his 
majesty  wished  the  permanent  settlement  of  Detroit  by 
the  French,  and  that  the  savages  should  also  be  estab 
lished  there.  It  is  therefore  necessary  to  allow  them 
very  great  liberty  on  this  point,  that  they  may  not  com 
plain  that  they  have  been  retained ;  and  that  M.  la  Motte 
also,  may  not  report  to  the  court  that  the  savages  have 
been  in  any  way  prevented  from  coming  to  establish 
themselves  at  his  post. 

"  I  was  interested  in  your  account  of  the  assembling 
of  the  different  nations  at  Michilimackinac,  awaiting  the 
arrival  of  M.  St.  Pierre.  He  also  spoke  of  it.  I  am 
very  glad  affairs  have  so  terminated  that  they,  at  least 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  273 

Approves  of  the  Council  of  Nations — Disposal  of  Le  Pesant. 

in  appearance,  have  separated  good  friends.  If  they 
come  to  Montreal  next  year,  as  you  inform  me  they  pro 
pose  to  do,  I  will  use  every  means  in  my  power  to  estab 
lish  a  permanent  peace.  I  shall  also  inform  Ounkima- 
vendelle,  that  he  must  keep  himself  quiet  if  he  wishes  to 
gain  my  favor  and  to  render  himself  respectable.  I  am 
glad  you  gave  two  pounds  of  powder  to  the  chief  of  the 
Sacs ;  if  he  comes  here,  I  will  assure  him  that  a  man 
who  enjoys  your  approbation  is-certain  of  my  favor.  You 
know,  Reverend  Father,  that  hitherto  I  have  paid  atten 
tion  to  all  those  whom  you  have  recommended  to  me. 

"  I  agree  with  you,  Reverend  Father,  that  the  affair 
of  Le  Pesant  is  one  of  the  most  important  that  has  ever 
occurred  in  the  upper  country.  I  have  always  regarded 
it  as  such.  Whether  M.  la  Motte  causes  him  to  be  put 
to  death,  or  not,  I  am  persuaded  that  there  is  nothing  to 
fear  for  you,  since  it  is  by  their  own  act  that  the  Outawas 
delivered  him  to  M.  St.  Pierre,  in  order  that  M.  d'Argen- 
teuil  might  take  him  to  Detroit.  They  have  thereby 
submitted  to  whatever  might  occur. 

"  I  have  noticed,  Reverend  Father,  what  you  spoke  of 
in  regard  to  M.  la  Motte's  accusing  you  of  being  the 
cause  of  the  quarrel  that  occurred  at  Detroit ;  and  that 
you  returned  to  your  mission,  well  aware  that  you  would 
find,  on  your  arrival,  not  only  the  Outawas  of  Michili- 

mackinac,  but  also  those  of  Detroit. 

18 


274  EAELY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Assures  the  Missionary  of  justification  at  Court. 

"  M.  Baudot  and  myself  will  render  to  you,  at  court, 
the  justice  you  deserve  ;  and  if  M.  la  Motte  has  no  other 
affront  or  grievance  against  you,  it  will  not  be  very  diffi 
cult  to  destroy  what  he  may  advance  in  regard  to  this 
matter.  I  exhort  you  to  live  on  good  terms  with  him  as 
far  as  possible :  the  service  of  the  king,  and  even  the 
advancement  of  your  mission,  depending  very  much  on 
the  good  understanding  between  the  officers  of  the  upper 
country  and  the  missionaries. 

"  I  cannot  give  you  any  definite  orders  in  regard  to 
the  course  you  are  to  pursue,  if  your  savages  leave  the 
mission ;  I  think,  however,  that  while  awaiting  the  orders 
of  the  court,  if  they  go  to  Detroit  or  elsewhere,  you  can 
not  do  better  than  to  go  with  them.  I  cannot  see,  Rev 
erend  Father,  what  inconvenience  you  will  experience 
by  writing  to  me  your  sentiments  upon  what  passes 
above ;  I  need  the  information,  and  it  seems  to  me,  if 
any  one  ought  to  be  well  informed  concerning  what  is 
passing  at  Michilimackinac,  it  is  you. 

"  Say  to  Rev.  Father  Chardon  that  I  am  very  glad  he 
has  resolved  to  continue  at  his  mission. 

"  Our  vessels  have  not  yet  arrived,  therefore  I  can 
send  you  by  this  opportunity  only  ten  pounds  of  powder, 
which  I  beg  you  to  share  with  Onaske,  and  such  others 
as  you  think  fit.  I  will  also  send  you  ten  pounds  of 
black  tobacco,  if  it  is  to  be  found  in  Montreal,  in  part 


EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  275 

Chiefe  receive  Presents  from  the  Governor-general. 

payment  of  the  twenty  pounds  that  M.  St.  Pierre  was  to 
remit  to  you. 

"  I  have  given  to  Koutaouiliboe,  Sakima,  and  the 
young  man  who  came  with  them,  each  a  coat,  a  calico 
shirt,  some  provisions,  and  powder  and  balls,  for  their 
return  journey ;  and  to  each  of  the  first  two,  a  blanket. 
The  season  being  so  far  advanced,  I  apprehend  that  they 
may  not  be  able  to  reach  you,  therefore  this  prevents 
me  from  sending  you  any  thing  more  by  them.  I  am, 
with  all  possible  consideration, 

"Rev.  Father, 

"Yours,  &c." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

M.  la  Motte  pardons  Le  Pesant— Dissatisfaction  of  the  Miamis — They 
demand  vengeance  upon  Le  Pesant — Kill  three  Frenchmen  and  com 
mit  other  depredations — Hurons  and  Iroquois  raise  war-parties  to  at 
tack  the  French — M.  la  Motte  complains  that  it  is  Jesuitical  influence 
which  occasions  these  disturbances — Asks  for  a  re-enforcement  of 
troops  and  a  better  fort — Advises  the  destruction  of  Fort  Frontenac — 
Thinks  a  new  fort  below  Fort  Frontenac  would  afford  better  protec 
tion  to  the  passage  to  Detroit  and  Montreal — Complains  of  the  Cou- 
reurs  des  Bais — Inspection  of  the  several  posts  by  M.  d' Aigrement — He 
remains  nineteen  days  at  Detroit — Accuses  M.  la  Motte  of  tyranny — 
Measures  the  valuable  lands  at  Fort  Pontchartrain — Only  twenty-nine 
of  the  inhabitants  landholders — Taxes — Asserts  that  the  mainte 
nance  of  Detroit  must  be  prejudicial  to  all  Canada — Trouble  at  Detroit 
with  the  Miamis — Detailed  account — Proceeds  to  Michilimackinac — 
Considers  it  an  important  post — Describes  its  location  and  advantages 
— Urges  the  necessity  of  sending  a  commandant  with  a  good  garrison 
— Approves  of  the  "permits." 

UNFORTUNATELY  for  the  settlement  at  Detroit,  M.  la 
Motte  was  induced  to  pardon  Le  Pesant.  This  injudi 
cious  leniency  provoked  the  Miamis,  who  accused  M.  la 
Motte  of  a  breach  of  contract.  They  demanded  ven 
geance  upon  Le  Pesant.  Finding  that  their  wishes  were 
entirely  disregarded,  they  killed  three  Frenchmen,  and 
committed  other  depredations  in  the  vicinity  of  Detroit. 

M.  la  Motte  was  making  preparations  to  avenge  him 
self,  when  he  received  intelligence  that  the  Hurons  and 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  277 

Treaty  with  the  Miamis— Difficulties  with  the  Jesuits. 

Iroquois  had  raised  war-parties  to  come  and  massacre  all 
the  French.  This  new  danger,  from  an  unexpected 
source,  induced  M.  la  Motte  to  effect  a  treaty  of  peace 
with  the  Miamis.  The  treaty  was  soon  violated  by  the 
savages.  M.  la  Motte  then  marched  against  them  with 
a  large  force,  and  compelled  them  to  offer  terms  of  sub 
mission. 

These  frequent  outbreaks  on  the  part  of  the  savages, 
were  not  the  only  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  comman 
dant  of  Fort  Pontchartrain.  The  old  feud  between  the 
Jesuits  and  Franciscans,  though  smothered  by  the  stern 
command  of  government,  was  not  forgotten. 

Jesuitical  intrigue  was  often  apparent,  not  only  in  the 
violation  of  treaties  on  the  part  of  the  savages,  but  also 
in  the  disaffection  of  the  French  ;  and  to  counter-plot  suc 
cessfully,  required  the  utmost  exercise  of  M.  La  Motte's 
ingenuity.  Of  this  he  complains,  in  a  letter  to  Count 
Pontchartrain.  A  summary  of  the  letter  is  preserved  in 
the  Colonial  Archives  at  Paris,  from  which  the  following 
extract  is  taken.  It  is  dated  Detroit,  Sept.  15,  1708. 

"  La  Motte  still  complains  that  the  Jesuits  are  so  much 
opposed  to  the  establishment  of  Detroit,  that  they  must 
either  leave,  or  he  will  abandon  the  fort ;  demanding, 
however,  that  the  government  indemnify  him,  if  he 
should  leave. 


278  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Summary  of  a  Letter  from  Cadillac  to  the  Governor-general. 

"  He  asserts  that  the  Jesuit  Fathers  have  prevented 
the  Outawas  from  coming  to  Detroit  to  settle,  and  offers 
to  prove  it  by  a  letter  written  to  him  by  Father  Mantet, 
missionary  of  Michilimackinac,  dated  October  23, 1677, 
but  not  received  by  La  Motte  until  1707.  He  says  that 
the  letter  has  been  written  thirty  years,  yet  no  one  has 
dared  to  contradict  its  contents. 

"  He  also  thinks  it  necessary  for  the  firm  establish 
ment  of  Detroit,  that  there  should  be  five  or  six  hundred 
inhabitants,  and  troops  in  proportion ;  that  a  good  fort  of 
earth  be  made  on  the  site  of  the  present  insecure  fortifi 
cation,  and  a  smaller  one  on  the  other  side  of  the  river, 
directly  opposite,  as  these  defenses  would  certainly  make 
the  French  masters  of  this  passage  of  the  nations.  He 
advises  to  destroy  Fort  Frontenac,  and  build  another 
twenty-five  leagues  farther  down,  at  a  place  named  La 
Galette,  which  would  be  in  every  respect  a  good  depot 
between  Montreal  and  Detroit. 

"  He  says  he  knows  a  passage  by  which  a  canal  could 
easily  be  constructed  to  form  a  connection  between  Lake 
Erie  and  Lake  Ontario.  But  he  complains  that  it  is  im 
possible  for  him  to  accomplish  any  of  his  purposes,  be 
cause  the  great  project  of  the  people  of  Canada  is  the 
establishment  of  Michilimackinac,  with  the  permits  and 
ccnvreurs  des  lois.  This  proposed  re-establishment  has 
great  allurements  for  the  governor-general,  because  it 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  2Y9 

Comparative  advantages  of  Michilimackinac  and  Detroit 

makes  him  master  ol  the  commerce.  If  Michilimackinac 
were  abandoned,  the  savages  would  no  longer  resort  to 
Montreal,  and,  consequently,  the  governor-general  would 
not  receive  his  annual  presents  from  them.  All  Canada 
regards  Detroit  as  an  obstacle  to  the  re-establishment  of 
the  permits ;  hence  their  opposition  to  it. 

"  He  says  Michilimackinac  could  not  sustain  itself  in 
case  of  a  war  with  the  Iroquois,  because  it  could  have 
no  communication  with  Montreal.  But  Detroit  does  not 
labor  under  that  embarrassment ;  he  can  go  to  Montreal 
whenever  he  wishes,  and  he  can  put  so  many  armed 
enemies  on  the  war-path  of  the  Iroquois,  whenever  it 
pleases  him,  that  they  will  be  glad  to  leave  him  in 
repose. 

"After  a  recapitulation  of  the  plans  which  he  pro 
posed  in  1703,  La  Motte  complains  of  the  many  expenses 
which  he  has  been  obliged  to  defray,  individually,  and 
asks  that  some  provision  may  be  made  by  government 
for  such  contingencies.  He  says  he  is  under  no  obliga 
tion  to  bear  the  expense  of  the  new  fort,  which  he  is 
building  at  Detroit,  nor  to  erect  the  church.  He  offers, 
however,  to  build  the  choir  of  the  church,  and  to  give 
the  land  on  which  it  stands,  provided  he  may  have  the 
advowson  of  it. 

"  He  says  if  His  Majesty  is  not  willing  himself  to  give 
any  thing  for  the  nave,  he  might  order  the  inhabitants 


280  E4ELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Inspection  of  the  Posts  by  M.  d'Aigrement. 


and  merchants  to  contribute  a  given  sum  for  that  pur 
pose,  and  offers  to  donate  five  hundred  francs  as  his  part." 

A  few  days  prior  to  the  date  of  M.  la  Motte's  letter  to 
Count  Pont.chartrain,  M.  d'Aigrement,  who  had  been 
sent  by  M.  Yaudreuil  to  inspect  the  several  posts  on  the 
frontier,  having  spent  nineteen  days  at  Detroit,  passed 
on  to  Michilimackinac.  On  his  return,  the  result  of  his 
investigations  was  sent  to  France.  The  following  tran 
script  gives  the  other  side  of  the  picture : 

"  Summary  of  an  inspection  of  the  Posts  of  Detroit  and  Michili- 
maclcinac,  ly  M.  d'Aigrement,  dated  Quebec,  Nov.  14,  1708. 

"M.  d'Aigrement  left  Niagara,  June  29,  1708.  He 
sailed  along  the  north  coast  of  Lake  Erie,  a  distance  of 
ninety  leagues,  and  arrived  at  Detroit  on  the  15th  of 
July.  He  remained  at  Fort  Pontchartrain  of  Detroit 
nineteen  days,*  and  became  convinced  during  his  stay 
that  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac,  who  commands  there,  is  gen 
erally  disliked  by  the  French  and  savages,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  three  or  four  of  the  former,  whom  he  employs 
in  his  secret  trade,  and  whom  he  influences  more  than 

°  "  La  Motte  contends  that  this  sojourn  was  not  sufficient  to  gain  any 
correct  knowledge  of  the  country.  He  says  that  during  his  stay,  they 
did  not  have  two  hours  conversation  together,  and  that  M.  d'Aigrement 
made  secret  inquiries  in  regard  to  him,  a  course  well  calculated  to  call 
forth  discreditable  remarks  from  the  French  and  savages." 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN-.  281 

Accuses  M.  la  Motto  of  Extortion  and  Tyranny. 

the  others.  This  hatred  is  in  consequence  of  the  tyranny 
which  he  exercises  over  the  entire  settlement.  Among 
the  many  instances  which  came  under  his  notice,  are 
the  following : 

"  La  Motte  requires  of  a  blacksmith,  named  Parent, 
for  permission  to  work  at  his  trade,  the  sum  of  six  hun 
dred  francs  and  two  hogsheads  of  ale,  and  the  obligation 
to  shoe  all  the  horses  of  M.  la  Motte,  whatever  number 
he  may  have,  though  at  present  he  keeps  but  one. 

"  Of  a  gunsmith  named  Pinet,  he  requires  three  hun 
dred  francs  a  year,  and  the  repairing  of  twelve  guns  per 
month,  which  makes  one  hundred  and  forty-four  a  year. 
Estimating  this  work  at  one  pistole  per  gun,  M.  la  Motte 
draws  from  the  work  of  these  men,  seventeen  hundred 
and  forty  francs.*  Evidently  this  state  of  things  cannot 
last  long,  for  they  will  be  obliged  to  leave  Detroit. 

"  M.  la  Motte  has  caused  a  windmill  to  be  erected,  in 
which  he  takes  the  eighth  minot  as  toll,  while  others 
take  only  the  fourteenth.  He  gives  for  his  reason,  the 
great  cost  of  the  mill.f 

c-  "  M.  la  Motte  says  that  he  made  agreements  with  these  workmen  at 
Montreal,  when  they  were  in  no  wise  under  his  control ;  that  some  time 
after  their  arrival  at  Detroit,  they  themselves  desired  a  different  com 
mission — the  very  one  of  which  they  now  complain.  Besides,  the  taxes 
that  he  requires  of  them  are  not  new,  the  Company  of  the  Colony  hav 
ing  used  the  same  prerogative." 

f  "  This  reason  of  M.  la  Motte' s  deserves  attention  ;  yet  one  does  not 
feel  quite  satisfied  with  it ;  he  appears  too  covetous." 


282  EAELY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Valuable  Lands  measured— Complaints  of  the  Savages. 

"  M.  d'Aigrement  caused  the  valuable  lands  at  Fort 
Pontchartrain  to  be  measured,  and  found  three  hundred 
and  fifty-three  roods  of  it  in  all.  La  Motte  has  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty-seven ;  the  French  inhabitants,  all  togeth 
er,  have  forty-six ;  and  the  Hurons  one  hundred  and  fifty. 
The  one  hundred  and  fifty  roods  of  La  Motte  have  been 
broken  up  by  the  soldiers  and  savages,  nineteen  roods  of 
which  belonged  to  the  company — so  the  cultivation  of  it 
has  cost  La  Motte  nothing. 

"  There  are  but  twenty-nine  of  the  inhabitants  of  De 
troit  who  have  taken  ground-plots  within  the  fort,  where 
they  have  built  small  log-houses,  thatched  with  grass. 
The  whole  number  of  the  French  settlers  is  sixty-three, 
thirty-four  being  traders.  It  is  certain  that  if  M.  la 
Motte  had  not  introduced  the  trade  in  brandy,  but  very 
few  of  the  traders  would  remain,  and  no  more  would  go 
there.  Brandy  and  ammunition  are  the  only  profitable 
articles  of  commerce  to  the  French,  the  English  furnish 
ing  all  others. 

"The  savages  make  great  complaints  against  M.  la 
Motte ;  they  say  plainly,  that  if  he  remains  there  they 
will  not  settle  at  Detroit.  They  demand  the  lieu 
tenant,  M.  d'Argenteuil,  as  commandant.  This  man 
has  much  influence  among  them,  but  has  little  manage 
ment.  The  savages  promise  great  faithfulness  to  the 
king. 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  283 


Mode  of  selling  Brandy— Immense  profits. 


"In  order  to  prevent  the  disturbances  which,  would 
arise  from  the  excessive  use  of  brandy,  M.  la  Motte 
causes  it  all  to  be  put  into  the  storehouse,  and  to  be  sold 
to  each  in  his  turn  at  the  rate  of  twenty  francs  per  quart. 
Those  who  will  have  it,  French  as  well  as  Indians,  are 
obliged  to  go  to  the  storehouse  to  drink,  and  each  can 
obtain,  at  one  time,  only  the  twenty -fourth  part  of  a 
quart.  It  is  certain  that  the  savages  cannot  become  in 
toxicated  on  that  quantity.  The  price  is  high,  and  as 
they  can  only  get  the  brandy  each  in  his  turn,  it  some 
times  happens  that  the  savages  are  obliged  to  return 
home  without  a  taste  of  this  beverage,  and  they  seem 
ready  to  kill  themselves  in  their  disappointment. 

"  M.  la  Motte  has  bought  of  four  individuals  one  hun 
dred  and  four  quarts,  at  four  francs  a  quart,  and  sold  it 
at  twenty  francs — thus  making  a  profit  of  four-fifths. 
The  inhabitants  of  Detroit  pay  M.  la  Motte  two  francs 
ten  sous  a  year  for  each  lot  of  land  measuring  one  rood, 
fronting  on  the  river,  by  twenty  in  depth ;  and  for  the 
ground  in  the  fort,  they  pay  two  sous  for  each  foot  of 
front,  and  double  that  amount  when  this  plot  borders  on 
two  streets.  All  the  inhabitants  also  pay  to  M.  la  Motte 
a  tax  of  ten  francs  a  year,  which,  he  claims  for  himself. 
This  tax  is  levied  for  the  privilege  of  free  trade  with  the 
Indians.  M.  d'Aigrement  also  recounted  many  acts  of 
petty  tyranny  on  the  part  of  M.  la  Motte,  especially  ex- 


284:  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Outbreak  of  the  Miamis— Treaty  of  Peace. 

ercised  toward  the  poor  soldiers  that  were  under  his 
immediate  control. 

"This  inspector  asserted  that  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  maintaining  the  establishment  at  Detroit  must  be 
highly  prejudicial  to  Canada ;  for,  said  he,  c  our  allies, 
the  Hurons,  even  now  carry  their  peltries  through  the 
country  to  the  English ;  and  they  have  also  introduced 
to  the  English  the  Miamis,  of  whom  they  formerly  made 
such  good  use  in  the  war  which  we  had  against  them.' 

"  In  the  month  of  April,  1707,  the  Miamis  having 
killed  three  Frenchmen,  M.  la  Motte  sent  orders  to  the 
Outawas  to  come  to  his  aid,  having  heard  that  the  Iro- 
quois,  Hurons,  and  Miamis  were  determined  on  the  de 
struction  of  the  French.  Three  hundred  good  men  of 
the  Outawas  immediately  set  out,  under  the  command 
of  the  two  officers  sent  by  M.  la  Motte ;  but  they  were 
surprised  to  learn,  before  they  reached  Detroit,  that  M. 
la  Motte  had  already  made  peace  with  the  Miamis. 

"The  conditions  of  the  peace  were,  first,  to  deliver 
up  the  murderers  within  forty  days ;  second,  to  return, 
within  fifteen  days,  a  little  Outawa  whom  they  had 
taken  captive ;  third,  to  pay  for  the  cattle  which  they 
had  killed ;  fourth,  to  restore  the  goods  which  they  had 
stolen  from  the  French. 

"The  fifteen  days  having  elapsed  and  the  little  Ou 
tawa  not  having  been  sent  back,  M.  la  Motte  resolved  to 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  285 

Violation  of  Treaty— French  attack  the  Fort  of  the  Miamis. 

make  war  upon  the  Miamis,  although  the  forty  days  that 
he  had  given  them  for  the  delivery  of  the  murderers  had 
not  yet  expired.  He  called  together  the  French  and 
savages,  and  after  having  lifted  the  tomahawk  in  council, 
he  departed  with  four  hundred  men  to  attack  the  fort  of 
the  Miamis.  But  he  conducted  the  march  without  that 
order  and  precaution  which  were  necessary,  despising  all 
the  advice  given  him  by  the  chiefs  and  his  own  officers. 
When  he  arrived  near  the  fort  of  the  Miamis,  which  he 
expected  to  take  without  opposition — there  being  but 
sixty  warriors  of  the  Miamis,  and  his  force  amounting  to 
four  hundred  men — he  found  the  Miamis  ready  to  de 
fend  themselves.  They  fired  on  the  advancing  army, 
wounding  many  persons,  and  obliging  La  Motte  to  re 
treat  to  some  distance  from  the  intrenchment.  At  this 
juncture  the  Miamis  raised  a  white  flag,  that  M.  la  Motte 
had  given  them  the  previous  year,  which  rendered  it 
necessary  for  him  to  hold  a  council  with  them. 

"  The  principal  chief  of  the  Miamis  who  came  to  the 
council  reproached  La  Motte  for  having  broken  his 
word,  the  forty  days  which  he  had  given  them  not  hav 
ing  expired.  La  Motte  replied  that  he  had  a  right  to 
attack  them,  as  they  had  failed  to  bring  back  the  little 
Outawa  who  was  among  them  within  fifteen  days,  as 
they  had  promised.  He  demanded  that  this  little  Ou 
tawa  should  now  be  restored,  and  that  they  should  also 


286  EAKLY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Negotiations — Frenchmen  retained  as  Hostages. 

give  him  three  captives  to  replace  the  dead.  They  not 
only  complied  with  these  requisitions,  but  they  also 
promised  him  that  they  would  deliver  up  the  murderers 
within  six  weeks,  if  possible,  but  if  not,  they  would  come 
after  their  harvest  and  settle  at  Detroit.  As  a  pledge  of 
their  truthfulness,  they  gave  three  of  their  chiefs  into  the 
custody  of  the  French  as  hostages.  They  also  presented 
to  M.  la  Motte  fifty  packs  of  different  kinds  of  furs,  for 
himself  and  for  the  troops  and  allies.  In  this  affray 
there  were  seven  Frenchmen  wounded,  and  four  savages 
killed  and  two  wounded. 

"  After  his  return  to  Detroit,  M.  la  Motte,  not  having 
heard  from  the  Miamis,  sent  a  canoe  with  four  French 
men  to  their  camp.  The  Miamis  kept  two  of  the 
Frenchmen,  and  sent  back  two  of  their  own  men  in 
stead,  to  signify  to  M.  la  Motte  that  they  would  do  as 
they  had  promised ;  but  this  is  improbable,  as  they  have 
abandoned  their  fort.  If  they  come  to  Detroit,  it  will  be 
very  difficult  for  them  to  agree  with  the  Outawas,  as  no 
one  can  bring  about  a  good  understanding  between  all 
the  different  nations  which  La  Motte  has  intended  to 
assemble  here.  There  are  ancient  enmities  that  will 
always  prevail  over  all  he  can  say  to  them.  If  it  were 
possible  to  succeed  in  causing  them  to  live  together  in 
peace,  there  would  arise  another  difficulty.  The  Iroquois 
would  gain  all  these  nations  over  to  the  English,  on 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  287 

Savages  of  Detroit  trade  with  the  English. 

account  of  their  greater  facilities  for  commerce.  An 
example  of  this  is  already  seen.  Detroit  has  not  sent  to 
the  office  at  Montreal  more  than  seven  hundred  weight 
of  beaver  this  year,  while  Michilimackinac  has  sent 
forty  thousand  pounds.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the 
Detroit  tribes  have  traded  as  much  as  usual,  therefore 
the  rest  must  have  passed  to  the  English. 

"  If  Michilimackinac  is  abandoned  and  the  Outawas 
go  to  Detroit,  as  M.  la  Motte  intends,  it  is  certain  that 
the  low  price  of  the  English  goods  will  cause  the  trade 
in  beaver  to  pass  into  their  colony,  without  our  being 
able  to  prevent  it.  "We  should  also  lose  the  beaver  from 
north  of  Lake  Superior,  which  is  the  best  there  is :  it  will 
pass  to  the  English  at  Hudson's  Bay. 

"M.  d'Aigrement  disputes  the  account  given  of  the 
soil  about  Detroit,  by  M.  la  Motte  and  others.  He  de 
scribes  it  as  consisting  of  a  sandy  surface,  nine  or  ten 
inches  deep,  beneath  which  is  a  clay  so  stiff  that  water 
cannot  penetrate  it.  The  timber,  he  says,  is  small, 
stunted  oaks,  and  hardy  walnuts ;  he  acknowledges  that 
the  land  produces  good  Indian-corn,  but  says  that  is  be 
cause  the  soil  is  new.  He  does  not  believe  that  the  fruits 
of  Europe  can  be  brought  to  perfection  there,  because 
the  roots  of  the  trees  stand  in  water.  Considerable  cider* 

°  Doubtless  made  of  crab-apples — a  spontaneous  production  of  the 
country. 


288  EARLY   HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Climate— Soil— Facilities  of  Commerce. 

is  made  there,  but  it  is  bitter  as  gall.  It  is  true  that 
the  country  is  warm,  being  only  forty-three  degrees 
north  latitude ;  but  the  difficulty  arises  from  the  fact  that 
the  ground  is  new  and  full  of  water.  There  are  some 
small  chestnuts  which  are  pretty  good  to  the  taste,  but 
they  are  the  only  kind  of  fruit  that  is  good.  The  grass 
hoppers  eat  all  the  garden-plants,  so  that  it  is  necessary 
to  plant  and  sow  the  same  thing  even  to  the  fourth  time. 

"Even  if  the  land  were  ever  so  productive,  there 
would  be  no  market,  and  the  trade  of  this  post  would 
never  be  useful  to  France — the  result  of  which  would  be 
that  the  establishment  would  always  prove  a  burden  to 
the  colony,  and  of  no  use  to  the  kingdom.  It  may  be 
said  that,  if  we  abandon  it,  the  English  will  take  pos 
session;  but  that  is  not  to  be  feared— it  being  more 
advantageous  to  them  that  we  should  incur  the  expenses 
and  let  them  reap  the  benefit,  as  they  now  do.  The 
Indians  are  very  willing  to  make  use  of  the  goods  of  the 
English,  but  they  would  not  suffer  the  English  to  take 
possession  of  their  lands,  even  for  the  purposes  of  trade. 

"  The  former  interpreter  at  Detroit,  brother  of  the  sec 
retary  of  M.  Yaudreuil,  has  been  discharged.  His  suc 
cessor  is  much  better — he  is  an  upright  man. 

"  After  having  remained  nineteen  days  at  Detroit,  M. 
d'Aigrement  started  for  Michilimackinac,  August  3d, 
and  arrived  there  on  the  19th  of  the  same  month. 


EARLY   HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  289 

Michilimackinac — Favorable  situation — Fish  and  Game. 

Micliilimackinac  is  one  hundred  and  thirty  leagues  from 
Detroit.  Here  he  remained  four  days,  during  which 
time  he  observed  that  this  is  the  advance  post  of  all 
Canada ;  the  most  important,  as  well  for  its  advantageous 
position,  as  for  the  commerce  that  might  be  made  there. 
It  is  the  rendezvous  and  highway  of  all  the  nations  of 
Lake  Superior,  and  the  entire  upper  country.  If  the 
nations  wish  to  make  war  upon  each  other,  the  Outawas 
who  inhabit  Michilimackinac  would  be  capable  of  pre 
venting  them,  and  might  be  the  mediators  in  their  dif 
ferences,  as  has  been  the  case  in  the  past. 

"  This  post  is  inaccessible  to  the  most  powerful  ene 
mies  of  the  Outawas,  who  are  to  the  south,  and  are 
not  boatmen.  The  fish  are  very  good,  and  very  abun 
dant.  The  land  is  not  very  good,  but  the  savages  raise 
from  it  enough  Indian  corn  for  their  own  use  and  that  of 
the  traders.  The  beaver  found  there  is  the  best  in  North 
America;  but  to  insure  its  passage  into  France,  it  is 
necessary  to  establish  a  French  commandant  there,  with 
at  least  thirty  soldiers.  The  savages  desire  this.  It 
would  also  be  necessary  to  induce  the  Hurons  to  return, 
whom  M.  la  Motte  decoyed  away,  as  they  are  much  bet 
ter  qualified  to  cultivate  the  land  than  the  Outawas. 

"These  Hurons  would  never  have  abandoned  this 
country,  if  there  had  been  a  French  commandant ;  they 

left  solely  on   account  of  their   hatred   of   the  Outa- 

19 


290  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Furs  of  Michilimackinac  go  to  Hudson's  Bay. 


was,  who  held  them  in  a  kind  of  slavery.  Those  whom 
M.  d'Aigrement  saw  at  Detroit,  say  they  like  much  bet 
ter  to  be  at  Michilimackinac,  and  would  attach  them 
selves  to  a  French  commandant  there.  They  hate  the 
Outawas,  but  appear  to  have  a  real  affection  for  the 
French. 

"  If  we  do  not  send  a  commandant  with  a  garrison  to 
Michilimackinac,  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  Hurons  who 
are  at  Detroit  will  settle  with  the  Iroquois,  in  conse 
quence  of  their  feeling  of  dissatisfaction  toward  M.  la 
Motte.  They  would  have  done  so  before  this,  if  the 
Iroquois  would  have  permitted  them  to  make  a  distinct 
village  among  them.  Thus  far  the  Iroquois  have  not 
been  willing  to  allow  the  Hurons  to  come  among  them, 
except  on  condition  of  combining  with  them,  and  the 
name  of  Huron  becoming  extinct.  Since  there  are  now  at 
Michilimackinac  only  a  few  wanderers,  the  greater  part  of 
the  furs  of  the  savages  of  the  north  go  to  the  English 
trading-posts  on  Hudson's  Bay.  The  Outawas  are  unable 
to  make  this  trade  by  themselves,  because  the  northern 
savages  are  timid,  and  will  not  come  near  them,  as  they 
have  often  been  plundered  by  them.  It  is  therefore 
necessary  that  the  French  be  allowed  to  seek  these 
northern  tribes  at  the  mouth  of  their  own  river,  which 
empties  into  Lake  Superior.  It  would  be  advisable  to 
re-establish  the  permits,  to  give  only  twelve  the  first 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  291 

He-establishment  of  "  Permits"  beneficial  to  the  French. 

year ;  and  after  that  to  increase  them  even  to  twenty, 
but  not  to  exceed  that  number.  This  would  suffice  for 
the  quantity  of  beaver  we  should  need.  These  permits 
would  be  sold  at  a  fixed  price,  and  the  amount  given  to 
indigent  families,  as  heretofore.  It  would  be  necessary 
to  forbid  the  governor-general  granting  private  permits, 
on  any  pretext  whatever. 

"  To  be  still  more  certain  of  obtaining  the  beaver,  it 
would  be  expedient  for  the  contractor  to  give  more  than 
thirty  sous  a  pound ;  it  might  be  necessary  to  increase 
the  price  even  to  forty  sous,  in  which  case  he  would  be 
able  to  purchase  as  much  as  he  would  desire.  All  this 
trade  would  come  to  Michilimackinac ;  and  it  wrould  be 
necessary,  in  order  to  prevent  any  of  the  furs  being  sub 
sequently  carried  to  the  English,  that  the  commandant 
of  that  post  should  keep  an  exact  account  of  the  quantity 
of  furs,  more  or  less,  which  should  be  loaded  into  each 
canoe  to  be  sent  to  the  intendant.  By  this  means,  each 
canoe  would  be  obliged  to  deliver,  at  the  office  at  Mon 
treal,  the  same  quantity  which  had  been  charged  at 
Michilimackinac.  The  contractor  should  remunerate 
the  commandant  for  this  service. 

"There  still  remain  at  Michilimaekinac  fourteen  or 
fifteen  Frenchmen,  who  could  not  possibly  subsist  there, 
if  the  merchants  and  others  in  Montreal  did  not  send 
them  goods.  These  are  not  the  only  ones  who  trade 


292  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Intoxication  of  a  Band  of  Outawas. 

there  ;  many  canoes  go  up  under  pretext  of  government 
service,  which  are  really  loaded  with  goods.  As  those 
who  conduct  the  canoes  are  usually  the  favorites  of  M. 
Yaudreuil,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  he  has  an  in 
terest  in  this  trade.  It  is  certain  that  if  there  were  no 
French  at  Michilimackinac,  most  of  the  beaver  now 
bartered  there  would  go  to  the  English. 

"  Previous  to  the  departure  of  M.  d'Aigrement  from 
Michilimackinac,  a  band  of  the  Outawas,  who  had  been 
to  Montreal,  arrived  there.  They  had  with  them  five 
casks  of  brandy,  and  were  all  so  much  intoxicated  the 
next  night,  that  they  set  fire  to  their  own  wigwams, 
which  would  all  have  been  burned,  but  for  the  timely 
aid  of  the  French,  and  who  for  this  service  were  much 
abused  by  the  savages. 

"  The  government  at  Montreal  should  prevent  the  sav 
ages  from  carrying  away  such  large  quantities  of  brandy, 
as  it  is  the  cause  of  most  of  the  quarrels  arising  among 
them.  They  also  squander  the  greater  part  of  their 
beaver  in  presents  and  in  brandy,  and  have  not  enough 
remaining  to  purchase  half  the  articles  that  are  indis 
pensable  to  their  comfort.  The  Outawas  informed  M. 
d'Aigrement  that  they  obtained  permission  to  bring 
away  their  brandy,  by  means  of  large  presents  which 
they  made  to  M.  Yaudreuil.  He  does  not  know  cer 
tainly  that  this  is  true,  but  he  is  certain  that  the  other 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  293 

Outawa  Chief  complains  of  M.  la  Motte. 

presents  received  by  M.  Yaudreuil  this  year  will  amount 
to  more  than  five  hundred  pistoles. 

"  A  chief  of  the  Outawas,  who  has  been  at  Detroit, 
and  is  now  at  Michilimackinac,  complained  that  M.  la 
Motte  refused  to  deliver  to  him  a  necklace  of  porcelain, 
and  a  feast-kettle  which  the  chief  had  given  to  one 
of  La  Motte's  agents,  in  security  for  five  beaver-skins 
which  he  had  borrowed.  The  chief  wished  to  return 
the  loan  two-fold,  and  receive  back  his  property,  but 
was  refused.  He  thinks  the  refusal  arises  from  the  fact 
that  he  did  not  wish  to  return  to  Detroit.  M.  la  Motte 
told  this  chief,  and  many  of  his  nation,  that  if  they 
would  not  return  to  Detroit,  they  would  all  die.  The 
savages  are  so  superstitious  that  they  now  believe,  when 
any  of  their  people  die,  that  M.  la  Motte  has  caused 
their  death.  Some  have  even  gone  to  reside  at  Detroit, 
to  avoid  this  death  which  M.  la  Motte  pretends  to  have 
power  to  inflict. 

"  M.  d'Aigrement  begs  to  be  believed  that  the  account 
he  has  given  of  the  conduct  of  many  individuals,  has 
been  quite  against  his  own  inclination,  not  having  any 
reason  to  complain  of  them  on  his  own  account,  but  be 
cause  he  must  obey  the  orders  of  His  Majesty.  He  in 
fers,  from  all  he  has  seen,  that  Fort  Frontenac,  on  Lake 
Ontario,  ought  to  be  maintained,  unless  it  is  thought 
advisable,  hereafter,  to  establish  a  post  at  La  Galette, 


294:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Detroit  injurious,  Michilimackinac  beneficial  to  the  Colony. 

twenty-five  or  thirty  leagues  lower  down.  He  con 
siders  the  post  at  Detroit  very  injurious  to  the  colony, 
and  to  the  commerce  of  the  kingdom ;  but  thinks  it  very 
important  to  preserve  the  trade  at  Michilimackinac, 
where  the  Outawas  are  established." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

War  between  France  and  England — English  attempt  the  reduction  of 
New  France — Port  Koyal  taken — Fifty  thousand  crowns  raised  by  the 
merchants  of  Quebec  to  complete  their  fortifications — English  unsuc 
cessful — Outagamies  suddenly  make  their  appearance — In  1712,  Outa- 
gamies  and  Mascoutins  attack  Detroit — Long  siege — Garrison  relieved 
by  their  allies — The  enemy  routed,  and  nearly  all  destroyed — Letter 
from  Father  Marest  to  the  governor-general,  giving  an  account  of  the 
attack — Urges  the  re-establishment  of  Michilimackinac — Memorial 
of  M.  Begon,  opposing  the  immediate  re-establishment  of  Michili 
mackinac. 

THE  war  between  France  and  England,  which  con 
tinued  until  1713,  had  a  most  disastrous  effect  upon  the 
growth  of  their  respective  colonies  in  America.  To  keep 
the  savages,  especially  the  Iroquois,  in  a  state  of  neu 
trality,  seemed  to  be  the  greatest  difficulty  encountered 
by  the  English,  while  the  French,  more  successful  in  ' 
making  treaties,  were  no  more  fortunate  in  securing  their 
observance. 

Religious  intolerance  and  jealousy  kept  the  French 
outposts  in  a  state  of  ferment,  and  prevented  that  de 
cisive  and  united  action  which  might  have  effectually 
controlled  their  savage  allies,  and  repulsed  their  English 
enemies. 


296  EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

English  expedition  against  Canada— Quebec  fortified. 

In  the  summer  of  1710,  the  English,  resolved  to  end 
the  war  in  America  by  the  subjugation  of  New  France. 
Extensive  preparations  were  made  for  an  expedition 
against  Port  Koyal.  About  the  middle  of  September 
the  whole  armament  sailed  from  Boston.  It  consisted 
of  thirty-six  sail,  having  on  board  the  land  forces.  The 
whole  army  numbered  about  three  thousand  four  hun 
dred.  This  force  was  under  the  command  of  General 
Nicholson  and  Adjutant-general  Yetch. 

On  the  5th  of  October  the  fleet  anchored  before  Port 
Royal.  This  fort,  with  a  garrison  of  only  two  hundred 
men,  was  in  no  condition  to  withstand  the  great  army 
brought  against  it.  A  show  of  resistance  was  made  as 
the  English  advanced,  and  they  were  obliged  to  retire 
before  the  fire  of  the  French  artillery.  For  some  time  a 
cannonading  was  kept  up  on  both  sides,  and  an  English 
fire-ship  was  blown  up  while  entering  the  harbor.  Aware 
that  he  could  not  long  resist  the  invaders,  M.  Subercase, 
commandant  of  the  fort,  sent  out  a  flag  of  truce,  and  a 
capitulation  was  agreed  upon,  by  which  the  English  be 
came  masters  of  Port  Royal.  In  1711,  an  unsuccessful 
expedition  was  made  by  the  English  against  Quebec  and 
Placentia ;  though  Port  Royal  was  still  retained. 

In  1712,  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  crowns  was  raised 
by  the  merchants  of  Quebec,  to  complete  the  fortifica 
tions  of  that  city. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  297 

Outagamies  and  Mascoutins  attack  Detroit. 

The  ill  success  of  the  English  expeditions  increased 
the  attractions  of  the  French  in  the  eyes  of  the  savages, 
and  the  Iroquois  sent  a  deputation  to  Quebec  to  assure 
the  governor-general  of  their  sincere  attachment.  At 
first  M.  Yaudreuil  gave  them  a  cool  reception,  but  finally 
dismissed  them  with  numerous  presents. 

About  this  time  the  Outagamies,  who  for  a  number  of 
years  had  scarcely  been  heard  from,  suddenly  made 
their  appearance.  They  formed  an  alliance  with  the 
Five  Nations;  and  being  won  over  to  the  English  in 
terests,  engaged  to  surprise  Detroit,  and  surrender  it  into 
their  hands.  Fort  Pontchartrain  was  then  commanded 
by  M.  du  Buisson,  who  succeeded  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac 
ji  the  summer  of  1711. 

Early  in  May,  1712,  a  large  body  of  the  Outagamies 
and  Mascoutins  proceeded  to  Detroit,  and  threw  up  an 
intrenchment  about  fifty  paces  from  Fort  Pontchartrain. 
The  French  garrison  consisted  of  only  thirty  men,  and 
the  Outawas  and  Hurons,  their  most  reliable  allies,  had 
not  returned  from  their  winter  hunt.  Frequent  sallies 
were  made  against  the  fort  by  the  besiegers,  keeping  the 
besieged  occupants  in  a  state  of  constant  anxiety  and 
alarm.  The  church,  storehouse,  and  some  other  build 
ings  outside  the  fort,  and  so  near  as  to  endanger  it  if  set 
on  fire  by  the  savages,  were  pulled  down  by  order  of  the 
commandant. 


298  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Defeated— Horrid  treatment  of  the  Captives. 

When  nearly  worn  out  by  unremitted  watchings,  the 
besieged  garrison  was  relieved  by  the  arrival  of  large 
numbers  of  their  allies,  who  soon  turned  the  tide  of  war. 
The  Outagamies  and  Mascoutins  were  obliged  to  retreat 
to  their  own  fortress,  where  they  were  in  turn  besieged. 
The  siege  lasted  nineteen  days,  the  firing  being  kept  up 
day  and  night.  Exhausted  by  hunger,  thirst,  and  fa 
tigue,  they  finally  manifested  a  desire  to  capitulate.  A 
great  council  was  held,  but  no  satisfactory  arrangement 
could  be  made,  and  hostilities  were  resumed.  At  last 
the  Outagamies  took  advantage  of  a  dark  rainy  night, 
and  escaped  from  their  fort.  They  proceeded  to  Presque 
Isle,  twelve  miles  above  Detroit,  where  they  again  in 
trenched  themselves.  Thither  they  were  pursued  by  the 
French  allies,  and,  after  a  four  days'  siege,  were  obliged 
to  surrender  at  discretion.  ~No  quarter  was  given ;  all 
the  men  were  killed,  and  the  women  and  children  were 
made  captives.  The  allies  returned  with  their  captives 
to  Fort  Pontchartrain,  where  they  amused  themselves 
with  shooting  four  or  five  a  day.  Not  one  of  those  taken 
by  the  liurons  was  spared. 

As  soon  as  the  news  reached  Michilimackinac,  Father 
Marest  dispatched  Koutaouiliboe  to  Quebec  with  letters 
to  the  governor-general.  In  these  dispatches  he  makes 
use  of  the  trouble  at  Detroit  as  an  argument  for  the  re- 
establishment  of  Michilimackinac. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  299 

Letter  from  Father  Marcst  to  M.  Vaudreuil. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Father  Marest,  missionary  at 
Michilimaekinac,  to  M.  Yaudreuil,  governor-general : 

"June  21,  1712. 

"  No  doubt  you  have  already  learned  the  news  of  the 
recent  attack  on  Detroit,  by  the  Sacs,  Foxes,  and  Mas- 
coutiris,  by  a  canoe  sent  from  that  place.  The  Rev. 
Father  Recollet  of  Detroit  informs  me  that  about  eight 
hundred  men,  women,  and  children  of  the  Foxes  and 
Mascoutins  have  been  destroyed.  Yet,  in  this  large 
number,  I  presume  he  does  not  reckon  forty  warriors, 
sixty  women,  and  more  than  a  hundred  children  of  the 
Mascoutins,  who  are  reported  to  have  been  killed  near 
the  great  river.  I  only  give  the  report  of  others.  Saki- 
ma  is  going  to  Montreal ;  he  and  Makisabe,  a  Pottawa- 
tomie,  who  is  also  going  down  from  Detroit,  were  the 
chiefs  principally  concerned ;  they  will  give  you  their 
own  account  of  affairs. 

"  Although  the  number  of  the  dead  is  very  great,  the 
Fox  nation  is  not  destroyed.  There  still  remain  a  great 
number  of  them  near  the  Bay — some  say  there  are  two 
hundred  warriors,  besides  those  who  have  gone  to  the 
Iroquois.  Their  brothers,  the  Kickapoos,  to  whose  vil 
lages  ten  families  of  the  Mascoutins  have  retired,  have 
more  than  a  hundred  good  warriors;  the  Sacs,  eighty 
men,  boatmen ;  the  Puans,  sixty  brave  men,  also  boat- 


300  EAKLY  HISTOKY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Michilimackinac  unsafe — Commandant  and  Garrison  needed. 

men.  If  these  all  unite,  as  is  natural,  they  may  yet  ex 
cite  terror,  especially  here.  They  would  indeed  be  truly 
formidable,  because  so  many  of  them  are  boatmen. 
Michilimackinac  would  no  longer  be  a  place  of  safety, 
as  hitherto.  It  is  not  far  from  this  post  to  the  Bay,  and 
the  savages  could  come  here  both  by  land  and  water, 
and  not  only  the  savages,  but  the  French,  who  were  the 
first  movers  in  this  war,  having  joined  with  the  Outawas 
to  destroy  the  Foxes.  We  believe,  however,  that  the 
Foxes  at  the  Bay,  having  heard  of  the  attack  upon  those 
at  Detroit,  will  flee ;  and  it  is  not  difficult  to  believe  that 
the  Sacs  and  Puans  will  take  the  part  of  the  Foxes 
against  the  French  and  Outawas;  but  these  are  only 
conjectures.  It  is  certain  that,  in  this  region,  there  will 
always  be  cause  to  fear  an  attack,  either  from  the  sav 
ages  at  Detroit,  at  the  Bay,  or  from  the  Illinois.  The 
French,  if  they  go,  as  is  their  custom — two  men  alone  in 
a  boat  to  make  the  tour  of  the  lakes — will  always  be  in 
danger,  for  the  Foxes,  Kickapoos,  and  Mascoutins  are 
found  everywhere,  and  they  are  a  people  without  pity 
and  without  reason. 

"  If  this  country  ever  needs  M.  Louvigny,  it  is  now ; 
the  savages  say  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  he  should 
come  for  the  safety  of  the  country,  to  unite  the  tribes, 
and  to  defend  those  whom  the  war  has  already  caused 
to  return  to  Michilimackinac.  The  Indians  of  the  great 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  301 

Arrival  of  French  at  Detroit — Effect  on  the  Savages. 

river,  those  of  Saginaw  and  many  from  Detroit,  have 
gone  to  Manitoulin  with  Le  Pesant.  But  if  M.  Louvig- 
ny  returns  here,  no  doubt  they  will  all  quit  Manitoulin, 
where  they  have  planted  but  little,  and  return  here. 

"  The  savages  told  me  that  all  the  Outawas  at  Detroit 
would  have  come  here,  but  for  the  recent  arrival  of  fifty 
or  sixty  Frenchmen,  who  said  they  were  soon  to  be  fol 
lowed  by  hundreds  of  others.  This  news,  though  prob 
ably  not  entirely  true,  has  changed  the  purpose  of  many 
who  wished  to  leave  Detroit,  arid  they  have  now  invited 
the  Outawas  and  Pottawatomies  to  come  and  establish 
themselves  there.  Sakima  has  had  a  quarrel  with  all 
the  Outawas,  both  here  and  at  the  great  river.  I  do  not 
know  what  course  the  Pottawatomies  will  take ;  nor  even 
what  course  those  will  pursue  who  are  here,  if  M.  Lou- 
vigny  does  not  come,  especially  if  the  Foxes  come  to  at 
tack  them  or  us. 

"  Sakima  very  much  desired  to  come  and  present  his 
respects  to  you ;  but  the  French  have  thought  it  best  for 
him  to  remain  for  the  safety  of  this  village.  In  his  ab 
sence,  the  enemy  might  attack  us,  while  his  presence 
would  arrest  all  such  designs,  as  he  is  greatly  feared. 
They  have  believed  it  quite  sufficient  for  Koutaouiliboe 
to  go  down  and  inform  you  of  all  that  has  passed :  not 
deeming  it  expedient  for  both  to  leave  Michilimackinac 
at  such  a  time  as  this." 


302  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Outawas  complain  of  the  abandonment  of  Michilimackinac. 


"July  2,  1712. 

"  This  morning  Koutaouiliboe  came  to  see  me,  deter 
mined  to  prosecute  a  German  quarrel.  c  What  does  our 
father  Onontio  mean?'  he  demanded.  clt  is  already 
five  years  since  he  promised  us  M.  Louvigny ;  still,  he 
wishes  to  deceive  us  this  year,  as  he  has  done  in  all  the 
others.  He  tells  us  that  the  great  Onontio,  the  king, 
especially  loves  his  children  of  Michilimackinac,  yet  it 
seems  that  he  abandons  them  entirely.  Formerly,  be 
fore  the  establishment  of  Detroit,  we  were  a  powerful 
nation.  All  the  other  nations  were  obliged  to  come 
here  to  obtain  necessaries,  and  there  was  no  trouble,  as 
there  is  now.  But  the  most  savage  and  unreasonable  of 
the  nations,  such  as  the  Foxes,  Kickapoos,  Mascoutins, 
Miamis,  and  others,  who  do  not  use  the  canoe,  have  the 
power  of  going  on  foot  to  Detroit,  in  as  great  numbers 
as  they  wish,  to  buy  their  powder  and  trouble  their 
allies.  Yet  the  French  desire  more  than  ever  to  estab 
lish  Detroit. 

" c  A  canoe,  which  arrived  yesterday  from  Detroit, 
brought  the  news  that  M.  de  la  Forest  had  already  ar 
rived  with  fifty  men.  He  has  not  come  to  remain,  but 
only  came  beforehand  to  hold  a  council  with  the  sav 
ages.  Some  time  hence  there  is  to  come  another  French 
chief,  a  young  man,  who  has  bought  all  the  movables  of 
M.  la  Motte,  his  plate,  his  cattle,  and  other  property ;  he 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  303 


Partiality  shown  to  Detroit  —  French  Allies  remonstrate. 

has  also  bought  all  the  land  of  Detroit.  This  chief  is  to 
come  with  four  hundred  French  to  build  a  city,  in  which, 
after  four  years,  they  are  to  sell  goods  at  the  same  price 
as  at  Montreal.  Only  two  canoes  are  ordered  to  come 
to  Michilimackinac.  It  is  also  said  that  a  few  persons 
will  steal  away,  and  come  here  to  settle.  This,  then,  is 
the  preference  which  the  French  give  to  Michilimacki 
nac.  It  is  because  Detroit  has  always  been  a  theater  of 
war,  and  because  it  always  will  be  so,  that  they  think 
only  of  its  establishment.  Does  our  father  wish  that  we 
should  leave  a  place  of  security  like  this,  and  go  to  De 
troit  to  be  killed,  ourselves  and  our  children  ? 

"  '  If  our  father  loves  us,  why  does  he  not  establish  us 
here,  and  give  us  him  whom  he  has  so  long  promised 
us,  to  give  spirit  to  those  who  have  it  not,  and  to 
strengthen  us  against  our  enemies  ?  Does  not  our  father 
know  that  all  the  Outawas  of  the  great  river  have  re 
turned  here,  almost  all  those  of  Saginaw,  and  many  of 
those  from  Detroit,  all  except  Jean  le  Blanc,  whose  wife 
is  already  here  ?  Does  he  not  know  that  all  the  Outa 
was  of  Detroit  had  already  pitched  their  canoes,  in  order 
to  come  here,  with  half  of  the  Hurons,  while  the  other 
half  of  the  tribe  were  to  go  to  the  Iroquois,  not  consider 
ing  themselves  safe  at  Detroit  any  more  than  the  Sau- 
teurs  and  the  Mississaques,  who  all  left  that,  place  after 
the  attack  made  by  the  Foxes  ?  But  when  they  received 


304:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Kumor  of  a  general  Peace  in  Europe — Discredited. 

the  news  of  the  coming  of  the  French,  they  resolved  to 
remain.'  I  could  only  tell  him  that  you  would  know 
how  to  reply  to  him  when  he  should  come  into  your 
presence.  He  said  that  the  only  satisfactory  reply  which 
his  father  could  make,  was  to  grant  him  the  commandant 
who  had  been  promised  long  since,  and  whom  he  was 
now  going  to  seek. 

"  Koutaouiliboe  has  also  told  me  another  fine  piece  of 
news ;  that  there  was  peace  in  all  Europe,  and  that '  the 
great  Onontio  of  the  French  had  given  one-half  of  his 
children  to  the  English,  but  that  he  had  requested  the 
English  not  to  give  them  bad  medicine.'  He  said  he  was 
indifferent  whether  he  went  to  Boston  or  Montreal,  as 
there  was  nothing  but  powder  at  Montreal,  and  that  the 
French  themselves  went  to  purchase  goods  at  the  stores 
of  the  English.  Already  at  Detroit,  he  said,  they  gave 
two  hands  of  tobacco  for  a  beaver,  and  a  scarlet  blanket 
for  five  or  six  beavers,  and  so  with  other  goods. 

"  There  is  one  thing,  however,  which  makes  all  this 
news  suspicious ;  those  who  told  it  brought  no  letters, 
and  that  makes  many  believe  that  it  is  news  made  ex 
pressly  for  the  occasion,  either  by  the  French  inhabitants 
of  Detroit,  or  by  the  savages  who  remain  there  in  such 
small  numbers  that  they  wish  to  cause  others  to  return 
there  for  their  safety.  He  also  told  me  that  M.  la  Motte 
had  gone  to  Quebec,  and  that  he  told  the  people  at  De- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  305 

Folle-Avoines — Detroit  Savages  and  Kickapoos. 

troit,  at  parting,  that  lie  was  not  leaving  them  forever, 
but,  at  the  expiration  of  four  years,  they  would  see  him 
again.  See  how  the  savages  make  news  according  to 
their  interests  or  inclinations ! 

"  The  Folle- Avoines  have  made  an  attack  upon  Cha- 
gouamigon  and  his  wife,  the  adopted  brother  and  sister 
of  Durange ;  they  have  killed  the  one,  and  carried  off 
the  other.  Durange  is  coming  here  to  recover  the  pris 
oner.  It  is  said  that  the  people  of  Detroit  are  coming  to 
make  war  against  the  Kickapoos,  and  that  they  have  in 
vited  the  Sauteurs  to  join  them. 

"  Pardon  me,  sir,  if  I  bring  you  only  savage  news ; 
Koutaouiliboe  will  be  able  to  tell  you  some  other.  He 
will  be  sure  to  make  you  remember  that  he  is  the  only 
one  who  has  observed  your  words ;  and  that  he  had  reason 
to  tell  you  last  year,  that  all  your  children  would  forget 
them  as  soon  as  they  should  be  beyond  the  region  of 
Montreal,  and  would  not  fail  to  kill  each  other.  I  am, 
with  profound  respect,  sir, 

"  Your  very  humble,  and 

"  Very  obedient  servant, 

"JOSEPH  T.  MAREST, 

"  Of  the  Society  of  Jesus." 

The  request  of  Father  Marest  for  the  re-establishment 
of  Michilimackinac  seems  to  have  excited  but  little  at 
tention  until  the  following  year,  when  the  governor- 

20 


306  EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Memoir  of  M.  Begon  concerning  Michilimackinac. 

general  began  to  feel  the  necessity  of  strengthening  the 
northwestern  frontier  against  the  encroachments  of  the 
English.  M.  Begon,  the  intendant,  to  whom  belonged 
the  duty  of  deciding  this  question,  then  drew  up  the  fol 
lowing  memorial,  fully  discussing  the  subject : 

"  It  appears  from  the  letter  of  Father  Marest,  mission 
ary  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  dated  July  19th,  1712,  that 
the  post  at  Michilimackinac  had  been  abandoned  since 
the  establishment  of  Detroit,  but  its  re-establishment 
would  be  useful  to  the  colony ;  and  that  M.  Louvigny 
is  expected  there  to  gather  the  savages  together,  which 
will  be  easily  accomplished,  as  they  have  great  confi 
dence  in  him.  M.  Lignery,  in  his  letter  of  the  20th  of 
July  last,  also  states  that  it  is  necessary  that  Michili 
mackinac  should  be  reinforced  with  a  garrison  of  trained 
soldiers,  without  which  no  commandant  could  succeed. 
There  are  at  present  at  that  post  about  forty  deserters, 
who,  in  all  their  conduct,  only  consult  their  own  interest. 
He  expresses  great  impatience  for  the  arrival  of  M.  Lou 
vigny,  feeling  assured  that  he  will  not  come  without  a 
garrison.  M.  Lignery  says  the  allied  nations  have  gone 
to  war  with  the  Foxes,  and  he  will  give  the  result  of  the 
expedition  when  they  return. 

"  It  does  not  appear  that  the  war  among  the  nations 
requires  much  attention  at  present,  as  no  action  can  be 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  307 

Opposes  the  present  re-establishruent  of  Michilimackinac. 

taken  in  the  matter  till  the  final  result  is  known.  Let  us 
now  examine  the  advantages  which,  there  is  reason  to 
hope,  will  be  derived  from  the  re-establishment  of  Mich 
ilimackinac,  and  whether  it  is  best  to  send  M.  Louvigny 
there  with  troops,  or  without.  It  is  certain  that  troops 
cannot  be  sent  there  at  present,  because  their  expenses 
for  clothing  and  other  necessaries  would  be  very  great, 
and  there  is  no  order  from  the  king  for  such  an  outlay. 
"Nor  does  it  seem  best  to  send  M.  Louvigny  without 
troops,  as,  by  the  letter  of  M.  Lignery,  it  appears  that 
the  principal  object  of  the  journey  of  M.  Louvigny 
would  be  to  bring  a  garrison  with  him,  that  he  might  be 
able  to  overcome  the  forty  coureurs  des  bois,  who  will 
remain  masters  there  as  long  as  there  are  no  troops. 

"Under  existing  circumstances  it  seems  far  better  that 
the  journey  of  M.  Louvigny  should  be  deferred  until 
spring.  If  he  should  attempt  the  journey  this  fall,  he 
must  leave  between  this  and  the  15th  of  next  month — 
and  should  he  be  two  months  in  ascending  the  river,  as 
the  canoes  were  last  year,  he  would  not  reach  Michili 
mackinac  before  the  15th  of  November.  The  savages 
would  then  be  hunting,  and  would  not  return  till  May, 
when  they  come  to  plant  their  corn ;  and  not  till  then 
could  M.  Louvigny  hold  a  council  with  them  concerning 
the  affairs  of  the  colony. 

"  M.  Louvigny  could  not  undertake  the  journey  at  his 


308  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Transportation  of  Troops  too  expensive  in  Autumn. 

own  expense.  Provisions  and  clothing  for  himself  and 
the  troops,  and  presents  for  the  savages,  would  require  a 
considerable  sum,  and  there  are  at  present  no  funds,  the 
storehouses  are  empty,  and  all  kinds  of  merchandise  are 
very  dear.  By  waiting  until  spring,  he  would  be  able 
to  supply  himself  from  the  stores  which  His  Majesty  will 
send  this  autumn.  Besides,  the  principal  object  of  the 
journey  of  M.  Louvigny  being  the  re-establishment  of 
Michilimackinac — which  has  been  delayed  until  the 
peace,  because  it  was  not  considered  expedient  to 
weaken  the  colony  during  the  war — it  seems  necessary, 
before  proceeding  further,  to  know  the  intentions  of  His 
Majesty.  There  must  necessarily  be  great  expense  in 
curred  for  the  officers,  for  the  garrison,  and  in  presents 
to  the  savages,  and  if  the  project  meet. His  Majesty's 
approbation,  he  will  appropriate  funds  for  that  purpose. 
"  Michilimackinac  might  be  re-established  without  ex 
pense  to  His  Majesty,  either  by  surrendering  the  trade  of 
the  post  to  such  individuals  as  will  obligate  themselves 
to  pay  all  the  expenses  of  twenty-two  soldiers  and  two 
officers,  to  furnish  munitions  of  war  for  the  defense  of 
the  fort,  and  to  make  presents  to  the  savages.  Or,  the 
expenses  of  that  post  might  be  paid  by  the  sale  of  per 
mits,  if  the  king  should  not  think  proper  to  grant  an 
exclusive  commerce.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  to  know 
the  wishes  of  the  king  concerning  these  two  propositions ; 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  309 

Coureurs  des  Bois  a  benefit  to  the  Colony. 

and  as  M.  Lignery  is  at  Michilimackinac,  it  will  not  be 
any  greater  injury  to  the  colony  to  defer  the  re-establish 
ment  of  this  post,  than  it  has  been  for  eight  or  ten  years 
past. 

"  The  conduct  of  the  coureurs  des  lois  is  an  evil  which 
has  lasted  a  long  time,  and  we  must  learn  whether  the 
king  will  grant  them  a  general  amnesty,  or  punish  them 
according  to  the  rigor  of  the  ordinance,  which  is  cor 
poral  punishment,  and  the  confiscation  of  their  goods. 
Until  this  decision  is  made,  their  trading  at  Michili 
mackinac  will  not  injure  the  colony  any  more  than  if 
they  pursued  the  same  course  elsewhere.  It  seems  ne 
cessary,  in  order  to  prevent  the  savages  from  going  to 
trade  with  the  English,  where  goods  are  cheaper  than 
they  are  at  Montreal,  that  our  goods  should  be  carried 
to  them.  Therefore,  though  the  coureurs  des  lois  de 
serve  punishment  for  disobeying  the  orders  of  the  king, 
no  doubt  the  trade  >vhich  they  carry  on  with  the  nations 
is  advantageous  to  the  colony.  This  trade,  during  the 
war,  has  brought  beaver  and  other  furs  to  Montreal  that 
would  otherwise  have  gone  to  the  English,  had  there 
been  no  French  in  the  upper  country.  Besides,  the  prin 
cipal  object  being  to  prevent  any  intelligence  passing 
between  the  Outawas  and  Iroquois,  the  French  should 
carry  all  that  the  savages  might  need,  lest  they  be  at 
tracted  to  the  English,  first  by  necessity,  and  afterwrard 


310  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Michilimackinac  re-established  in  1714. 

by  the  cheapness  of  their  goods ;  and  it  being  impossible 
to  prevent  their  going,  the  fur-trade  in  Canada,  which  is 
our  principal  dependence,  would  be  ruined.  The  sav 
ages  would  also  array  themselves  against  us  in  the  first 
war,  as  they  always  take  the  part  of  those  with  whom 
they  trade. 

"Written  at  Quebec,  Sept.  20th,  1713. 

(Signed)  "BEGON." 

There  seemed  good  reasons  for  adopting  M.  Begon's 
suggestion,  to  defer  sending  men  to  Michilimackinac 
until  another  season ;  but  early  in  1714,  M.  Yaudreuil 
dispatched  the  long-wished-for  garrison  and  comman 
dant.  New  life  was  thus  given  to  the  settlement,  yet  the 
French  could  not  regain  their  influence  over  the  savages. 
English  goods  were  cheaper  and  more  abundant,  and 
the  low  state  of  financial  affairs  in  France  was  alleged 
as  the  reason  that  the  merchants  of  Quebec  and  Mon 
treal  did  not  receive  a  supply  of  goods  equal  to  the  de 
mand.  Hence,  the  largest  portion  of  the  northwestern 
fur-trade  passed  to  the  English. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

France  cedes  to  England  large  portions  of  territory  in  New  France — 
English  attempt  to  conciliate  the  savages — Fail,  through  the  influ 
ence  of  Father  Kane,  a  French  Jesuit — English  set  a  price  on  the 
head  of  the  priest — Savages  exasperated — Make  incursions  upon  the 
English — Destroy  their  crops,  but  spare  life — Outagamies  trouble  the 
French — In  1716,  M.  Louvigny  proceeds  to  their  country  and  obliges 
them  to  capitulate — Hostages  die  of  small-pox  at  Quebec — M.  Lou 
vigny  again  visits  the  country  of  the  Outagamies — Official  report  of 
M.  Tonti's  return  from  Quebec  to  Detroit. 

BY  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  ratified  April  11,  1713, 
France  ceded  to  England  a  large  extent  of  territory, 
comprising  Nova  Scotia  or  Acadia,  and  Port  Eoyal, 
•with  all  the  adjacent  country  included  in  the  ancient 
boundaries. 

Bancroft  says  :  "  On  the  surrender  of  Acadia  to  Eng 
land,  the  lakes,  the  rivulets,  the  granite  ledges  of  Cape 
Breton — of  which  an  irregular  outline  is  guarded  by 
reefs  of  rocks,  notched  and  almost  rent  asunder  by  the 
constant  action  of  the  sea — were  immediately  occupied 
as  a  province  of  France,  and  in  1714,  fugitives  from 
Newfoundland  and  Acadia  built  their  huts  along  its 
coasts,  wherever  safe  inlets  invited  the  fishermen  to 
spread  their  flakes,  and  the  soil  to  plant  fields  and  gar 
dens. 


312  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

English  and  French  contend  for  the  favor  of  the  Savages. 

"  From  Cape  Breton,  the  dominion  of  Louis  XIV.  ex 
tended  up  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Lake  Superior,  and  from 
that  lake,  through  the  whole  course  of  the  Mississippi,  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  Bay  of  Mobile." 

"While  the  hardy  Canadians  were  forming  new  settle 
ments  in  the  inclement  North,  the  attention  of  the  Court 
of  France  was  more  particularly  directed  to  the  settle 
ment  of  Louisiana.  Treasures  were  lavishly  expended  in 
fitting  out  expeditions  to  that  El  Dorado,  while  the  al 
ready  established  posts  of  the  whole  northwest  were  left 
to  struggle  on,  almost  unaided. 

After  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  no  efforts  were  spared,  on 
the  part  of  the  English,  to  conciliate  the  savages.  The 
Abnaquais,  who  remained  true  to  the  French,  continued 
to  ravage  NQW  England.  The  English  continued  to  use 
every  means  to  win  their  favor,  and  among  other  pro 
jects,  they  established  a  free-school  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Kennebec,  where  the  young  Abnaquais  could  be  boarded 
and  educated  without  expense.  But  all  in  vain.  Father 
Rafle,  an  active,  zealous  Jesuit,  had  long  dwelt  among 
them  as  missionary,  and  so  strongly  were  they  attached 
to  him,  that  they  followed  his  dictates  in  every  respect. 
Enthusiastically  attached  to  his  country,  as  well  as  to  his 
religion,  he  used  every  means  to  excite  in  the  minds  of 
the  savages  a  continued  hostility  to  trie  English. 

All  remonstrances  were  unavailing.     At  last  the  Eng- 


EARLY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  313 

Keward  offered  for  the  Head  of  a  Priest. 

lish  attempted  to  gain  possession  of  his  person,  and,  fail 
ing  in  that,  they  set  a  price  upon  his  head.  The  savages 
were  highly  exasperated  at  this  attack  upon  their  favor 
ite  priest,  and  immediately  sent  out  messengers  to  all 
their  allies  to  meet  them  at  Narrantsouak.  From  thence 
they  made  incursions  upon  the  English  settlements  along 
the  rivers,  demolishing  the  houses  and  destroying  the 
crops,  but  sparing  the  lives  of  the  inhabitants.  They 
took  four  or  five  prisoners,  and  held  them  as  hostages  to 
secure  the  lives  of  some  of  their  messengers,  who  had 
been  captured  and  retained  prisoners  at  Boston. 

Less  forbearing  than  their  savage  enemy,  the  English 
broke  down  the  fortifications  about  Narransouak,  shot 
the  offending  missionary,  burned  the  wigwams,  and 
plundered  the  church.  The  destruction  of  this  settle 
ment,  for  a  time,  restored  tranquillity  to  New  England, 
but  made  the  Abnaquais  deadly  foes  to  the  British  gov 
ernment. 

The  severe  chastisement  which  the  Outagamies  re 
ceived  from  the  French  in  1712,  instead  of  subduing, 
only  exasperated  them.  Their  scouting-parties  infested 
every  line  of  communication  between  the  distant  posts, 
robbing  and  murdering  the  traders.  So  well  did  they 
succeed  in  their  outrages,  that  the  Sioux  were  induced 
to  form  an  open  alliance  with  them,  and  many  of  the 
Iroquois  secretly  favored  them.  Indeed,  there  seemed 


314:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

Expedition  of  the  French  against  the  Outagaurics. 

to  be  great  danger  of  a  general  conspiracy  among  all  the 
savage  nations  against  the  French.  As  the  only  means 
of  safety,  M.  Vaudreuil  resolved  upon  the  utter  extermi 
nation  of  the  Outagamies.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring 
of  1716,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out,  consisting  of  an 
army  of  eight  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  M. 
Louvigny,  lieutenant  of  Quebec.  Proceeding  to  the 
country  of  the  Outagamies,  they  found  that  nation  in 
trenched  within  a  fort  of  palisades,  evidently  aware  of 
the  enemy's  approach,  and  expecting  no  mercy.  There 
were  about  five  hundred  warriors,  and  nearly  three 
thousand  women  and  children. 

M.  Louvigny,  having  brought  with  him  two  or  three 
small  pieces  of  ordnance,  commenced  a  formal  siege. 
In  spite  of  the  governor-general's  avowed  determination 
to  exterminate  the  Outagamies,  he  had  given  secret  in 
structions  to  M.  Louvigny,  not  to  prosecute  the  war  any 
farther  than  was  necessary  to  obtain  advantageous  terms 
of  peace.  After  a  few  days'  siege,  the  Outagamies  de 
sired  to  capitulate.  Their  terms  were  rejected,  and  the 
siege  was  continued  until,  at  last,  the  savages  were  com 
pelled  to  accept  peace  upon  the  terms  proposed  by  the 
French.  By  one  of  these  stipulations,  six  sons  of  six  of 
the  principal  chiefs  were  delivered  to  M.  Louvigny,  as 
hostages,  to  secure  their  sending  deputies  to  Montreal 
the  ensuing  year,  to  ratify  the  peace.  A  written  treaty 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  315 


Small-pox  in  Canada— Death  of  three  Hostages. 


was  made,  containing  the  cession  to  the  French  of  all 
the  country  of  the  Outagamies.  It  is  probable  the  sav 
ages  were  entirely  ignorant  of  this  clause  in  the  treaty. 

The  following  winter,  the  small-pox  raged  in  Quebec 
and  Montreal.  Among  the  victims  were  the  famous 
Outagamie  chief,  Pemoussa,  and  three  of  the  hostages. 
Fearing  the  consequences  of  this  mortality,  M.  Yaudreuil 
went  on  the  ice  from  Quebec  to  Montreal,  to  give  orders 
to  M.  .Louvigny  to  set  out  for  Michilimackinac  at  the 
earliest  moment  practicable. 

M.  Louvigny  found  it  impossible  to  commence  his 
journey  till  late  in  May,  1717.  He  took  with  him  one 
of  the  surviving  hostages,  who  had  lost  an  eye  by  the 
small-pox,  that  he  might  convince  his  nation  that  his 
comrades  had  not  died  for  want  of  care.  Immediately 
after  their  arrival  at  Michilimackinac,  the  hostage  and 
two  French  interpreters,  well  supplied  with  presents  "  to 
cover  the  dead  hostages,"  were  dispatched  to  the  coun 
try  of  the  Outagamies.  The  deputation  was  very  cor 
dially  received,  and  the  Outagamies  expressed  their 
gratitude  to  Onontio  for  his  forbearance  toward  their  na 
tion,  and  gave  repeated  assurances  of  a  lasting  peace 
with  the  French.  They  said  that  for  certain  reasons 
they  could  not  wait  on  Onontio  till  the  next  year,  but 
they  would  never  forget  their  obligations  to  him. 

The  hostage  set  out  with  the  interpreters  on  their  re- 


316  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Breach  of  Faith— M.  Tonti  returns  to  Detroit 

turn  to  Michilimackinac,  but,  after  traveling  a  few 
leagues,  lie  left  them,  saying  he  must  return  home  to 
make  his  countrymen  keep  their  promise.  No  more 
was  heard  of  him,  nor  did  the  deputies  make  their  ap 
pearance  at  Montreal.  The  reason  afterward  given  by 
the  Outagamies  for  this  breach  of  faith  was,  that  "an 
enemy,  provoked  beyond  a  certain  degree,  could  never 
become  a  reconciled  friend." 

About  the  time  that  M.  Louvigny  started  on  his  jour 
ney  to  Michilimackinac,  M.  Tonti,  commandant  at  De 
troit,  set  out  on  his  return  to  that  post.  An  official  report 
of  his  voyage  was  sent  to  M.  Yaudreuil,  bearing  date 
October  12th,  1717.  This  report  was  submitted  to  the 
Council  of  Marine,  and,  as  was  customary,  a  summary 
was  made  by  the  secretary,  and  approved  by  the  coun 
cil.  The  following  copy  throws  a  ray  of  light  upon  the 
state  of  affairs  at  Detroit  at  that  time : 

"  October  12th,  1717. 

"  At  the  same  time  that  M.  Louvigny  left  Montreal  to 
go  to  Michilimackinac,  M.  Tonti  also  started  for  Detroit, 
the  commerce  of  that  post  having  been  granted  to  him 
only  on  condition  that  he  should  not  extend  his  trade  be 
yond  his  own  jurisdiction,  nor  employ  others  to  carry 
goods  to  sell  to  more  distant  tribes. 

"  In  conformity  to  the  orders  of  the  council,  M.  Tonti 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  317 

Savages  go  to  Orange — Management  of  M.  Tonti. 

took  the  route  of  the  lakes,  and  met,  on  Lake  Ontario, 
three  canoes  from  Michilimackinac,  three  from  Detroit, 
and  three  from  Saginaw,  which  were  going  to  Orange. 
He  succeeded,  by  fair  words  and  presents,  in  persuading 
them  to  follow  him  to  Detroit.  Two  days  later,  when 
he  was  six  miles  from  Niagara,  he  met  seventeen  canoes 
of  savages  bound  for  Detroit,  but  who  were  first  going  to 
Orange.  He  induced  them  also  to  abandon  their  design, 
by  the  promise  that  the  price  of  merchandise  at  Detroit 
should  be  diminished,  and  he  would  also  give  them  some 
brandy.  Ten  canoes  followed  him  to  Detroit,  and  seven 
took  the  route  to  Montreal.  L'Oranger,  the  interpreter, 
was  dispatched  to  accompany  these  last,  and  prevent 
their  going  to  the  English.  He  was  only  able  to  con 
duct  six  of  them  to  Montreal ;  the  seventh  escaped  and 
went  to  Orange. 

"  According  to  his  promise,  M.  Tonti  made  satisfactory 
arrangements  with  the  merchants.  He  also  permitted 
the  savages  to  buy  two  or  three  quarts  of  brandy  each, 
to  take  to  their  villages.  But  they  first  agreed  that  it 
should  be  carefully  distributed  by  a  trusty  person.  He 
hoped  the  council  would  not  disapprove  of  what  he  had 
done,  nor  of  the  continuance  of  the  same  course,  as  he 
had  no  other  intention  than  merely  to  hinder  the  savages 
from  going  to  the  English. 

"  M.  Tonti  arrived  at  Detroit,  July  3d,  and  immedi- 


318  EAELY  HISTOKY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Council  at  Detroit — Complaints  of  the  Savages. 

ately  held  a  council  with  the  nations  which  are  estab 
lished  there,  in  order  to  engage  the  chiefs  to  come  to 
Montreal,  to  testify  concerning  what  had  passed  in  the 
war  with  the  Foxes ;  but  they  were  unable  to  come,  on 
account  of  an  affair  which  occurred  a  short  time  before, 
which  obliged  them  to  remain  in  their  own  village. 
They  have  promised  to  come  next  year,  without  fail. 
They  complained  that  the  French  had  sold  their  goods  too 
high,  but  they  hoped  the  change  of  commandant  would 
reduce  the  prices ;  if  not,  they  should  go  to  the  English. 
M.  Tonti  then  called  a  meeting  of  the  merchants,  and 
they  all  agreed  upon  a  price  for  certain  kinds  of  mer 
chandise,  with  which  the  savages  appeared  satisfied. 

"  The  difficulty  which  hindered  the  principal  chiefs 
from  going  from  Detroit  to  Montreal,  was  caused  by  an 
Outawa  of  this  post  and  four  other  savages.  All  five  of 
them  pretended  to  start  on  a  war  excursion  against  the 
Flat  Heads ;  but,  while  they  were  in  the  river  of  the 
Miamis,  they  killed  an  Iroquois  and  his  wife,  who  was  a 
Miami,  and  two  children.  This  bloody  deed  would  cer 
tainly  have  caused  a  war,  for  the  Iroquois  and  Miamis 
took  the  part  of  their  murdered  people  against  the  Outa- 
was  and  other  nations  at  Detroit.  M,  Tonti  persuaded 
the  nations  at  Detroit  to  join  him  and  go  to  Saginaw  for 
the  murderers,  and  deliver  them  up  to  the  Miamis.  For 
this  purpose  the  Outawas  and  Pottawatomies  each  sent  a 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  319 

Difficulty  between  the  Outawas  and  Miamis.. 

canoe,  to  which  M.  Tonti  added  one  of  the  French,  and 
placed  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Brage- 
lonne.  The  three  murderers  were  arrested  and  brought 
to  Detroit,  where  M.  Tonti  kept  them  in  custody  till  he 
obtained  news  from  the  Miamis,  to  whom  he  immediately 
made  known,  the  satisfaction  the  Outawas  were  ready  to 
offer  them.  By  this  means,  and  by  the  presents  which 
the  nations  of  Detroit  and  even  the  French  will  make  to 
the  Miamis,  M.  Tonti  hopes  that  nation  will  be  concili 
ated,  and  the  war  prevented. 

"Approved  by  the  Council  of  Marine,  January  18,  1718. 

"L.  A.  DE  BOUKBON." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Chiefs  of  the  three  villages  at  Detroit  assembled  in  council — Orders  of 
M.  Vaudreuil — Speech  of  Sastarexy,  the  Huron  orator — Unusual  state 
of  tranquillity  in  all  New  France — Increased  number  of  settlers  at 
Detroit — Enlargement  of  the  stockade — Barracks  erected — Canada  in 
1725 — Commencement  of  "the  old  French  war" — Extensive  warlike 
preparations  made  in  the  colonies — Arrival  of  French  and  English 
fleets  off  the  coast  of  Newfoundland — Quebec  taken  by  the  English — 
Montreal  and  all  the  French  possessions  in  the  northwest  ceded  to 
England — Major  Rogers  takes  possession  of  Detroit — Lieut.  Leslie 
takes  possession  of  Michilimackinac — Description  of  Michilimackinac 
by  Henry — Conspiracy  of  Pontiac — Massacre  at  Michilimackinac — Its 
reoccupancy — Removal  of  the  fort  to  the  island. 

FROM  1717  to  the  close  of  1724,  there  was  a  constant 
succession  of  difficulties  between  the  French  and  the  dif 
ferent  tribes  of  Indians.  As  soon  as  one  "  bad  affair" 
was  adjusted,  some  other  real  or  supposed  injury  would 
call  forth  savage  indignation  and  revenge.  The  forts  at 
Detroit  and  Michilimackinac,  though  still  maintained, 
were  in  a  very  low  state,  and,  to  the  savages,  were  ob 
jects  of  contempt  rather  than  of  terror.  It  is  impossible 
to  trace  a  connected  chain  of  events  at  these  posts,  and 
only  now  and  then  can  we  find  an  isolated  fact  concern 
ing  them. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  1721,  M.  Tonti,  who  still  com 
manded  at  Fort  Pontchartrain,  assembled  the  chiefs  of 


EARLY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  321 

Council  at  Detroit— War  proposed  against  the  Outagamies. 

the  three  villages  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Detroit — 
Hurons,  Ottawas,  and  Pottawatomies — and  communi 
cated  to  them  the  orders  of  M.  Yaudreuil,  which  he 
had  just  received.  An  important  item  in  the  business 
under  debate,  was  a  request  from  the  governor-general 
to  the  three  villages,  to  give  their  consent  that  no  more 
brandy  should  be  sold  to  them,  as  it  had  been  expressly 
prohibited  by  the  Council  of  Marine.  It  was  also  pro 
posed  that  all  the  nations  should  unite  with  the  French 
in  a  war  against  the  Outagamies,  who  were  again  com 
mitting  depredations  upon  the  more  remote  posts.  This 
warlike  tribe  had  also  driven  the  Illinois  from  their 
hunting-grounds  on  the  Mississippi,  and  made  dangerous 
the  whole  passage  to  Louisiana. 

According  to  custom,  the  chiefs  required  two  days 
u  to  consider  the  words  of  Onontio,"  when  they  reassem 
bled  in  vast  numbers  at  the  council-house,  and  Sastarexy, 
the  great  Huron  orator,  replied  to  Onontio  in  an  eloquent 
speech.  He  remarked  that  the  French  had  a  perfect 
right  to  do  as  they  might  think  proper  about  selling 
brandy  to  the  savages;  acknowledged  that  it  would 
have  been  far  better  for  them  if  the  French  had  never 
taught  them  to  use  it ;  and  portrayed,  in  a  vivid  man 
ner,  the  many  evils  it  had  brought  upon  all  the  nations ; 
but  they  had  now  become  so  much  accustomed  to  its  use 

that  they  could  not  do  without  it.     Hence,  it  was  easy 

21 


322  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Speech  of  Sastarexy— Difficulties  with  Outagamies  adjusted. 

to  infer  that,  if  the  French  would  not  sell  them  their 
favorite  beverage,  they  would  obtain  it  of  the  English. 

In  regard  to  the  war  with  the  Outagamies,  he  said 
nothing  could  be  determined,  except  in  a  general  coun 
cil  of  all  the  nations  which  acknowledge  the  authority 
of  Onontio.  Perhaps  all  would  be  agreed  in  thinking  a 
war  necessary,  but  they  would  have  great  difficulty  in 
again  placing  confidence  in  the  French.  All  would  re 
member  that,  having  once  united  the  nations  to  assist  in 
exterminating  this  enemy,  the  French  had  granted  them 
peace  without  even  consulting  the  allies,  and  without 
sufficient  reason  for  such  a  proceeding. 

Soon  after  this  council  at  Detroit,  the  difficulties  with 
the  Outagamies  were  adjusted.  The  Mississippi  scheme 
lost  much  of  the  enthusiastic  interest  it  had  awakened  in 
France,  and,  with  the  exception  of  occasional  outbreaks 
among  the  Indians,  which  were  soon  quelled,  for  many 
years  New  France  remained  in  a  state  of  unwonted 
tranquillity. 

From  this  period  until  1760,  when  the  whole  of  the 
great  northwest  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  no 
veiy  serious  calamity  of  any  kind  befell  the  establish 
ment  at  Detroit.  As  the  number  of  settlers  increased, 
the  stockade  that  inclosed  the  town  and  constituted  the 
fort,  was  enlarged  and  strengthened,  until  it  inclosed 
eighty  or  one  hundred  small  houses,  closely  crowded  to- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  323 


Loss  of  the  ship  Camel— Death  of  M.  Vaudreuil. 

gel  her  and  thatched  with  straw.  The  new  palisades 
were  twenty-five  feet  high,  having  a  wooden  bastion  at 
each  corner.  Over  each  of  the  two  gateways  a  block 
house  was  erected.  Barracks  for  the  soldiers  were  also 
built  on  the  spot  where  the  first  rude  fort  was  constructed 
in  1701.  Near  these  barracks  was  the  council-house. 
The  only  other  public  building  was  St.  Anne's  Church,  a 
small  rude  structure.  The  streets  were  very  narrow,  ex 
cept  a  wide  carriage-road  called  the  chem/in  du  ronde^ 
which  encircled  the  town  iust  within  the  palisades. 

v 

In  1725,  while  all  Canada  was  rejoicing  in  the  rapid 
increase  of  its  population  and  wealth,  the  loss  of  the  French 
ship-of-war  Camel,  which  was  wrecked  near  Louisburg, 
produced  the  utmost  grief  and  consternation.  Besides 
the  destruction  of  the  rich  cargo,  the  whole  colony  mourn 
ed  the  greater  loss  of  many  valuable  lives.  M.  Louvig- 
ny,  for  many  years  lieutenant  of  Quebec,  and  afterward 
intendant  of  Canada,  who  had  recently  been  appointed 
governor  at  Three  Kivers,  a  son  of  the  late  governor  of 
Montreal,  a  large  number  of  colonial  officers,  and  many 
ecclesiastics  of  all  denominations,  perished  in  the  wreck. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  an  additional  calam 
ity  befell  the  colony,  in  the  death  of  M.  Yaudreuil,  the 
governor-general.  This  sad  event  took  place  October 
10,  1725.  M.  Yaudreuil  had  governed  Canada  for 
twenty-one  years,  to  the  general  acceptance  of  the  peo- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN". 
Succession  of  M.  Beauharnais — British  colonial  Army. 

pie,  who  deeply  mourned  his  loss.  He  was  succeeded 
in  the  government  by  M.  Beauharnais.  The  almost  un 
broken  quiet  of  more  than  twenty  years,  -though  greatly 
enhancing  the  prosperity  of  the  country,  became  at 
length  very  irksome  to  the  restless  spirit  of  the  French. 
They  had  long  been  jealous  of  the  rapidly  increasing  set 
tlements  of  their  English  neighbors,  and  had  often  mani 
fested  their  dislike  by  petty  annoyances ;  but,  in  1746, 
they  made  such  encroachments  upon  the  undoubted 
property  of  the  English,  that  the  British  government 
was  aroused. 

By  order  of  His  Majesty  James  I.,  the  Secretary  of 
State  required  all  the  governors  of  the  English  colonies 
in  America,  to  raise  a  large  number  of  independent 
companies  of  soldiers.  The  troops  of  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Virginia,  were  to  be 
formed  into  one  corps,  under  the  command  of  the  Lieu 
tenant-governor  of  Virginia,  Brigadier-general  Gooch. 
The  colonies  were  to  furnish  levy  money  and  provisions, 
and  His  Majesty  was  to  bear  the  expense  of  arming, 
paying,  and  clothing  the  troops.  The  army  was  to  be 
aided  by  a  suitable  armament  sent  from  Europe,  and  the 
whole  to  be  under  the  command  of  General  Sinclair. 
The  object  was  nothing  less  than  the  entire  subjugation 
of  Canada. 

On  their  part,  the  French   made  equally  extensive 


EAKLY   HISTOEY   OF   MICHIGAN.  325 

French  and  English  fleets — Commencement  of  War. 

preparations — collecting  troops,  erecting  new  fortifica 
tions,  even  within  the  British  territory,  and  doing  every 
thing  in  their  power  to  harass  the  English.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  French  and  English  commissaries  were  at  Paris 
disputing  about  the  claims  of  their  respective  nations,  but 
bringing  about  no  adjustment.  At  length  the  English 
government  received  intelligence  that  a  French  fleet  was 
about  to  sail  from  Brest,  bound  to  America.  Accord 
ingly,  Admiral  Boscawen  was  ordered  to  set  sail  with 
twelve  ships-of-war,  and  'watch  their  movements.  This 
armament  was  soon  after  reinforced  by  six  ships-of-the- 
line  and  a  frigate,  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Hoi- 
bourne.  The  French  king  had  instructed  his  ambassa 
dor  that,  should  the  British  show  signs  of  acting  on  the 
offensive,  intimation  was  to  be  immediately  given  that 
the  firing  of  the  first  British  gun  would  be  considered  by 
the  French  as  a  declaration  of  war. 

In  due  time,  Admiral  Boscawen  arrived  at  Newfound 
land,  and  took  his  station  off  Cape  Eace.  Soon  after 
ward  M.  Bois  de  la  Motte  arrived  with  the  French 
squadron.  On  account  of  a  dense  fog,  the  English  did 
not  see  the  French  fleet ;  but  two  French  vessels,  named 
the  Alcide  and  the  Lys,  being  separated  from  the  rest, 
were  captured.  About  8,000  francs  were  found  on 
board.  Thus  commenced  the  war  known  as  the  old 
French  "War,  during  whose  sanguinary  continuance  the 


326  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


Success  of  tho  English — Canada  surrendered. 


name  of  Washington  was  first  recorded  in  the  book  of 

O 

fame.  For  ten  long  years  the  war  continued.  With  the 
exception  of  that  rashness  which  resulted  in  Braddock's 
defeat,  the  war  was  conducted  with  marked  success  to 
the  English.  Yet  Canada  could  never  be  conquered 
while  Quebec  and  Montreal,  the  strongholds  of  the 
French,  still  remained  in  their  possession,  and  thither 
the  English  force  was  gathered — the  lion  in  search  of  his 
prey. 

Every  scene  of  the  battle  on  the  plains  of  Abraham, 
where  fell  the  brave  Wolfe,  and  his  great  adversary,  the 
young  and  chivalrous  Montcalm,  is  familiar  as  house 
hold  words.  On  the  18th  of  September,  1759,  Quebec, 
"  the  rock-built  citadel  of  Canada,"  passed  forever  from 
the  hands  of  the  French. 

Quebec,  Niagara,  Frontenac,  and  Crown  Point,  were 
now  in  the  possession  of  the  English  ;  but  Montreal  and 
the  adjacent  country  still  held  out,  and  early  in  the  year 
1760,  three  divisions  of  the  British  army  entered  Canada 
at  three  different  points,  and,  conquering  as  they  went, 
converged  toward  Montreal.  By  a  singular  coincidence, 
all  three  reached  the  neighborhood  of  that  city  on  the 
same  day.  The  enfeebled  and  disheartened  garrison  could 
offer  no  resistance,  and  on  the  8th  of  September,  1760, 
Montreal  and  all  its  dependencies  were  surrendered  to 
the  British  crown.  This  capitulation  included  not  only 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  827 

English  take  possession  of  Detroit — French  Commandant. 

the  surrender  of  Montreal  and  its  immediate  vicinity, 
but  of  Detroit,  Michilimackinac,  and  all  other  portions 
of  Canada  still  in  the  possession  of  the  French. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1Y60,  Major  Robert  Rogers 
received  orders  from  General  Amherst  to  advance,  with 
a  sufficient  force,  and  take  possession  of  Detroit,  Michil 
imackinac,  and  indeed  all  the  northwest,  and  administer 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  inhabitants.  During  the 
war,  the  distant  tribes  of  the  northwest  had  continued 
allies  of  the  French,  and,  as  a  consequence,  Detroit  and 
the  other  outposts  in  that  region  had  remained  unmo 
lested.  So  entirely  unacquainted  with  the  progress  of 
events  were  the  soldiers,  and  even  the  officers,  that  Cap 
tain  Bellestre,  commandant  at  Detroit,  was  at  first  quite 
inclined  to  dispute  the  authority  by  which  Major  Rogers 
demanded  the  surrender  of  Fort  Pontchartrain.  Indeed, 
so  sure  was  the  French  officer  that  the  demand  was  in 
formal,  that  he  not  only  placed  himself  in  a  hostile  atti 
tude,  but  attempted  to  rouse  the  fury  of  the  Indians,  by 
erecting  on  a  pole  an  effigy  of  a  crow  pecking  a  man's 
head,  representing  the  manner  in  which  the  French 
would  treat  the  English  if  they  continued  to  advance. 

At  last,  becoming  satisfied  by  letters  furnished  by 
Major  Rogers  from  the  governor-general  of  Canada,  that 
the  fort  must  indeed  be  surrendered,  Captain  Bellestre, 
with  ill-disguised  chagrin,  declared  his  garrison  at  the 


328  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Indian  allies — French  troops— Canadian  inhabitants. 


disposal  of  the  English,  commander.  The  French  garri 
son  defiled  upon  the  plain,  and  laid  down  their  arms. 
The  Canadian  militia  were  called  together,  disarmed, 
and  the  oath  of  allegiance  administered.  The  fleur-de 
Us,  which  had  for  sixty  years  waved  over  this  little  for 
tress,  beneath  whose  folds  had  been  acted  many  a  stir 
ring  scene  in  life's  drama,  was  lowered  from  the  flag 
staff,  and  the  red  cross  of  St.  George  became  the  symbol 
of  the  ruling  power. 

With  that  facile  transfer  of  favor  which  is  everywhere 
paid  to  power,  seven  hundred  Indians,  but  a  few  days 
since  the  fast  allies  of  the  French,  now  sent  up  a  shout 
of  exultation,  and  tauntingly  signified  that  the  English 
man  was  the  crow,  and  the  French  captain  the  victim. 
The  French  troops  were  sent  as  prisoners  of  war  to  Phila 
delphia,  and  the  Canadian  inhabitants  were  permitted 
to  retain  their  houses  and  farms,  on  condition  of  taking 
the  oath  of  allegiance.  Major  Rogers,  with  a  small  de 
tachment  of  troops,  attempted  to  prosecute  his  journey 
to  Michilimackinac,  but  the  advanced  season  rendered 
this  impossible.  Leaving  Captain  Campbell  in  com 
mand  at, Detroit,  he  set  out  on  his  return  to  Pittsburg, 
on  the  23d  of  December,  1760. 

In  the  spring  of  1761,  the  British  troops,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Leslie,  took  possession  of  Mich 
ilimackinac,  Green  Bay,  and  the  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  and  the 


EARLY   HISTOEY   OF   MICHIGAN.  329 

Michilimackinac  in  1751— Description  by  Henry. 

whole  northwest  passed  forever  from  under  the  dominion 
of  France.  The  French  troops  gave  place  to  the  Eng 
lish,  and,  as  at  Detroit,  the  cross  of  St.  George  floated 
where  the  fleur-de-lis  had  so  long  held  sway.  The 
jealousy  of  the  Indians  was  excited  by  this  change  of 
rulers ;  but  the  Canadian  inhabitants,  who  had  gathered 
within  and  around  the  fort  at  Michilimackinac,  preserved 
their  tranquillity,  while  the  courewrs  des  lois  were  quite 
willing  to  enjoy  the  favors  of  their  new  allies.  A  fresh 
impetus  was  given  to  the  fur-trade,  by  the  reduced  prices 
of  English  goods,  and  the  whole  trade  at  Michilimacki 
nac  was  monopolized  by  four  English  traders.  One  of 
these  traders,  Alexander  Henry,  who  arrived  there  just 
before  the  troops,  and  who  was  one  of  the  few  that 
escaped  the  massacre  in  1763,  thus  describes  the  fort 
and  its  surroundings : 

"  Fort  Michilimackinac  was  built  by  order  of  the 
governor- general  of  Canada,  and  garrisoned  with  a  small 
number  of  militia,  who,  having  families,  soon  became 
less  soldiers  than  settlers.  Most  of  those  whom  I  found 
in  the  fort,  had  originally  served  in  the  French  army. 
The  fort  stands  on  the  south  side  of  the  strait  which  is 
between  Lake  Huron  and  Lake  Michigan.  It  has  an 
area  of  two  acres,  and  is  inclosed  with  pickets  of  cedar- 
wood  ;  and  it  is  so  near  the  water's  edge  that,  when  the 
wind  is  in  the  west,  the  waves  break  against  the  stockade. 


330  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Defenses  of  the  Fort — Inhabitants — L'Arbre  Croche. 

"  On  the  bastions  are  two  small  pieces  of  brass  cannon, 
taken  some  years  since  by  a  party  of  Canadians  who 
went  on  a  plundering  expedition  against  the  posts  of 
Hudson's  Bay,  which  they  reached  by  the  route  of  the 
River  Churchill.  Within  the  stockade  are  thirty  houses, 
neat  in  their  appearance  and  tolerably  commodious,  and 
a  church,  in  which  mass  is  celebrated  by  a  Jesuit  mis 
sionary.  The  number  of  families  may  be  nearly  equal 
to  that  of  the  houses,  and  their  subsistence  is  derived 
from  the  Indian  traders,  who  assemble  here  in  their  voy 
ages  to  and  from  Montreal.  Michilimackinac  is  the 
place  of  deposit,  and  point  of  departure,  between  the  up 
per  and  lower  countries.  Here  the  outfits  are  prepared 
for  the  countries  of  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Mississippi, 
Lake  Superior  and  the  northwest ;  and  here  the  returns, 
in  furs,  are  collected  and  embarked  for  Montreal 

"At  the  entrance  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  at  about 
twenty  miles  to  the  west  of  Fort  Michilimackinac,  is  the 
village  of  L'Arbre  Croche,  inhabited  by  a  band  of  Otta- 
was,  boasting  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  fighting  men. 
L'Arbre  Croche  is  the  seat  of  the  Jesuit  mission  of  St. 
Ignace  de  Michilimackinac,  and  the  people  are  partly 
baptized  and  partly  not.  The  missionary  resides  on  a 
farm  attached  to  the  mission,  and  situated  between  the 
village  and  the  fort,  both  of  which  are  under  his  care. 
The  Qttawas  of  L'Arbre  Croche,  who,  when  compared 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  331 

Disaffection  of  the  Indians— Delaware  Prophet 

with  the  Chippewas,  appear  to  be  much  advanced  in 
civilization,  grow  maize  for  the  market  of  Michilimacki- 
nac,  where  this  commodity  is  depended  upon  for  pro 
visioning  the  canoes." 

Henry  says  Fort  Michilimackinac  and  the  Mission  of 
St.  Ignace  were  on  the  south  side  of  the  straits,  which  is 
corroborated  by  the  ruins  still  visible,  while  Father  Ma- 
rest,  M.  Cadillac,  and  others,  distinctly  state  that  these 
places  were  on  the  north  side.  The  exact  period  at 
which  the  change  was  eifected,  cannot  be  determined ; 
probably  it  took  place  at  the  time  of  the  re-establishment 
of  Michilimackinac  by  the  French  in  1714.  The  spirit 
of  disaffection  with  which  the  Indian  tribes  at  first  re 
ceived  their  new  rulers,  was  continually  increased  by  the 
haughty  and  often  unjust  treatment  of  the  English.  Set 
tlers  took  possession  of  the  choicest  hunting-grounds, 
without  even  a  semblance  of  treaty  or  purchase.  The 
Delawares  and  Senecas  were  most  exasperated  by  these 
acts  of  aggression,  and  every  means  was  used  by  the 
French  to  add  fuel  to  the  flame.  A  prophet  arose 
among  the  Delawares.  By  his  visions  and  interpreta 
tions  he  aroused  the  savage  hordes,  who  had  been  brood 
ing  over  their  wrongs,  but  feared  to  avenge  themselves. 

In  1761,  an  abortive  attempt  was  made  to  destroy  the 
posts  along  the  frontier.  During  the  year  1762  many 
outbreaks  occurred,  but  no  decisive  blow  was  struck.  It 


332  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 


Pontiac  plans  the  destruction  of  the  British  forts. 


was  then  that  Pontiac,  a  celebrated  chief  of  the  Otta- 
was,  conceived  a  plot  for  the  extirpation  of  the  English 
aggressors.  Comprehensive  in  design,  and  minute  in 
detail,  the  scheme  of  Pontiac  would  have  reflected  honor 
on  any  civilized  mind.  He  possessed  courage,  resolu 
tion,  a  certain  kind  of  wisdom,  a  quick  perception  and 
ready  adaptation,  and  the  gift  of  convincing  eloquence. 
His  plans  once  perfected  in  his  own  mind,  he  persever- 
ingly  addressed  himself  to  their  accomplishment.  Re 
venge  and  ambition  urged  him  on.  With  the  close  of 
the  year  1762,  Pontiac's  arrangements  were  complete. 
Far  and  near  he  dispatched  his  swift  messengers  with 
gifts  of  tobacco  and  belts  of  wampum,  to  call  the  tribes 
to  a  great  council  on  the  banks  of  the  River  Ecorces,  a 
short  distance  from  Detroit.  The  villages  of  Pontiac's 
tribe,  the  Ottawas,  and  the  wigwams  of  the  Hurons  and 
Pottawatomies,  his  more  immediate  allies,  were  near  the 
place  of  meeting.  Hither  came  deputations  from  the 
Iroquois,  Delawares,  and  Senecas  of  the  east,  and  from 
the  Illinois,  and  all  the  other  numerous  tribes  of  the 
northwest.  The  council  fire  was  lighted,  and  the  pipe 
of  peace  was  passed  around  the  dusky  circle.  Then 
Pontiac,  the  tall  and  stately  chieftain,  arose  and  ad 
dressed  the  assemblage  in  strains  of  impassioned  elo 
quence.  He  spoke  of  their  former  happiness  under  the 
mild  sway  of  the  French,  and  detailed  the  wrongs  in- 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  333 


Great  Council— Pontiac  unfolds  his  plan. 


flicted  on  them  by  the  English.  He  repeated  the  fabri 
cation  of  the  traders,  that  Onontio,  their  great  French 
father,  was  hastening  on  his  soldiers  to  help  them  subdue 
the  English.  He  described  the  numbers  and  prowess  of 
the  tribes  represented  in  council,  and  spoke  of  the  ease 
with  which  their  united  efforts  could  crush  the  English, 
and  restore  to  the  Indian  tribes  the  undisputed  possession 
of  the  hunting-grounds  of  their  fathers.  Then  unfolding 
his  plan,  he  assigned  to  the  representatives  of  each  tribe 
their  part  in  the  great  tragedy.  The  destruction  of 
Michilimackinac  was  allotted  to  the  Ojibwas  and  Sacs, 
Fort  St.  Joseph  to  the  Illinois,  the  forts  east  and  south  of 
Lake  Erie  to  different  tribes  of  the  Six  Nations,  while 
Detroit,  the  most  important  of  them  all,  was  reserved  by 
Pontiac  for  himself  and  his  allied  tribes. 

The  assembled  chiefs  expressed  their  approbation, 
other  preliminaries  were  settled,  and  with  war-dance  and 
carousal  the  vast  assemblage  dispersed. 

The  destructive  blow  was  to  be  everywhere  simultane 
ously  struck,  each  chief  devising  his  own  plan  for  the 
execution  of  his  part  of  the  scheme.  Minavavana,  chief 
of  the  Ojibwas,  to  whom  was  assigned  the  destruction  of 
Michilimackinac,  adopted  a  very  simple  expedient, 
which  proved  but  too  successful.  On  the  morning  of 
the  4th  of  June,  the  birthday  of  King  George,  a  large 
number  of  Ojibwa  chiefs  came  to  the  fort,  and  invited 


334:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Minavavana— Game  of  Ball  at  Michilimackinac. 

the  officers  and  soldiers  to  be  present  at  a  great  game  of 
ball  which  was  to  be  played  between  their  nation  and 
the  Sacs.  It  being  a  holiday,  the  discipline  of  the  gar 
rison  was  relaxed,  and  the  fort  was  soon  half  deserted. 
The  gates  were  wide  open,  and  the  soldiers  stood  in 
groups  near  the  palisades,  watching  the  progress  of  the 
game,  many  of  them  unarmed.  A  large  number  of  the 
Canadians  were  also  present,  and  a  multitude  of  squaws, 
wrapped  in  blankets,  wandered  about  among  the  crowd. 
Captain  Etherington  and  Lieutenant  Leslie  stood  in  the 
gateway,  the  former  betting  on  the  success  of  the  players. 
The  game  progressed  to  its  finale.  Parkman  thus  graph 
ically  describes  the  scene : 

"  The  plain  in  front  was  covered  by  the  ball-players. 
The  game  in  which  they  were  engaged,  called  baygatta- 
way  by  the  Ojibwas,  is  still,  as  it  always  has  been,  a 
favorite  with  many  Indian  tribes.  At  either  extremity 
of  the  ground  a  tall  post  was  planted,  marking  the  sta 
tions  of  the  rival  parties.  The  object  of  each  was  to  de 
fend  its  own  post,  and  drive  the  ball  to  that  of  its  adver 
sary.  Hundreds  of  lithe  and  agile  figures  were  leaping 
and  bounding  upon  the  plain.  Each  was  nearly  naked, 
his  loose  black  hair  flying  in  the  wind,  and  each  bore 
in  his  hand  a  bat  of  a  form  peculiar  to  this  game.  At 
one  moment  the  whole  were  crowded  together,  a  dense 
throng  of  combatants,  all  struggling  for  the  ball ;  at  the 


EAKLY   HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  335 

Garrison  massacred — Officers  taken  Prisoners. 

next,  they  were  scattered  again,  and  running  over  the 
grounds  like  hounds  in  full  cry.  Each,  in  his  excite 
ment,  yelled  and  shouted  at  the  height  of  his  voice. 
Rushing  and  striking,  tripping  their  adversaries,  or  hurl 
ing  them  to  the  ground,  they  pursued  the  animating  con 
test  amid  the  laughter  and  applause  of  the  spectators. 
Suddenly,  from  the  midst  of  the  multitude,  the  ball 
soared  into  the  air,  and,  descending  in  a  wide  curve,  fell 
near  the  pickets  of  the  fort.  This  was  no  chance  stroke. 
It  was  part  of  a  preconcerted  stratagem  to  insure  the  sur 
prise  and  destruction  of  the  garrison.  As  if  in  pursuit 
of  the  ball,  the  players  turned  and  came  rushing,  a  mad 
dened  and  tumultuous  throng,  toward  the  gate.  In  a 
moment  they  had  reached  it.  The  amazed  English  had 
no  time  to  think  or  act.  The  shrill  cries  of  the  ball 
players  were  changed  to  the  ferocious  war-whoop.  The 
warriors  snatched  from  the  squaws  the  hatchets  which 
the  latter,  with  this  design,  had  concealed  beneath  their 
blankets.  Some  of  the  Indians  assailed  the  spectators 
without,  while  others  rushed  into  the  fort,  and  all  was 
carnage  and  confusion.  At  the  outset,  several  strong 
hands  had  fastened  their  gripe  upon  Etherington  and 
Leslie,  and  led  them  away  from  the  scene  of  massacre 
toward  the  woods.  Within  the  area  of  the  fort  the  men 
were  slaughtered  without  mercy." 

A  mere  handful  of  men  escaped  from  this  dreadful 


330  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Green  Bay  evacuated — Prisoners  released — Reach  Montreal. 

carnage.  For  a  short  time  they  were  held  prisoners  by 
the  Indians,  but  were  finally  set  at  liberty,  or  ransomed 
through  the  friendliness  of  the  Ottawas  of  L'Arbre 
Croche.  Captain  Etherington,  the  unfortunate  com 
mander  of  Michilimackinac,  was  permitted  to  send  a 
letter  to  Lieutenant  Gorell,  commander  at  Green  Bay, 
acquainting  him  with  the  disastrous  condition  of  af 
fairs. 

On  the  reception  of  these  tidings,  Lieutenant  Gorell 
immediately  resolved  to  evacuate  his  post,  and  return  to 
Montreal.  Accordingly,  on  the  21st  of  June,  he  em 
barked,  with  his  troops,  in  batteaux,  accompanied  by 
about  ninety  Indians  in  canoes.  They  crossed  Lake 
Michigan  in  safety,  and  arrived  on  the  30th  at  L'Arbre 
Croche.  Here  they  found  Captain  Etherington,  Lieuten 
ant  Leslie,  and  eleven  men,  detained  as  prisoners  by  the 
Ottawas,  yet  treated  with^  great  kindness.  By  dint  of 
persuasion  on  the  part  of  Lieutenant  Gorell,  the  prisoners 
were  set  at  liberty,  and  on  the  18th  of  July,  1763,  about 
six  weeks  after  the  massacre,  the  English  left  L'Arbre 
Croche,  escorted  by  a  fleet  of  Indian  canoes.  They 
reached  the  portage  of  the  Ottawa  river  in  safety,  and 
arrived  at  Montreal  on  the  13th  of  August. 

Saut  Ste.  Marie  had  been  partially  destroyed  by  fire 
the  previous  winter,  and  was  at  this  time  unoccupied 
by  the  English.  The  post  at  Detroit  now  contained 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  337 

Northwestern  posts  re-established  by  the  English. 

the  only  British  soldiers  to  be  found  in  all  the  region  of 
the  lakes. 

For  a  little  more  than  a  year,  the  forts  at  Miehili- 
mackinac,  Green  Bay,  and  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  were  only 
occupied  by  the  coureurs  des  bois^  and  those  Indian 
bands  which  chose  to  make  them  a  temporary  residence. 

After  the  treaty  of  peace  with  the  hostile  Indians  at 
Detroit,  made  by  General  Bradstreet  in  1764,  Captain 
Howard  was  dispatched  with  a  sufficiently  large  detach 
ment  of  troops,  to  take  possession  of  these  deserted 
posts ;  and  once  more  the  cross  of  St.  George  was  the 
rallying  point,  and  the  protection  of  the  adventurous 
traders. 

In  1779,  a  party  of  British  officers  passed  over  from 
the  point  of  the  peninsula  to  the  island  of  Michilimacki- 
nac,  to  reconnoiter,  with  the  intention  of  removing  the 
fort  thither.  After  selecting  a  location,  they  asked  per 
mission  of  the  Indians  to  occupy  it.  Some  time  elapsed 
before  their  consent  could  be  obtained ;  consequently, 
the  removal  was  not  effected  until  the  ensuing  summer. 
A  government  house,  and  a  few  other  buildings,  were 
erected  on  the  site  of  the  present  village,  and  the  troops 
took  possession  on  the  15th  of  July,  1780. 

The  removal  of  the  inhabitants  from  the  main  land 
to  the  island  was  gradual,  and  the  fort,  which  was  built 
on  the  site  of  the  present  one,  was  not  completed  until 

22 


338  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Fort  Holmes — "  Isle  of  the  dancing  spirits." 

1783.  This  fortification,  standing  on  a  high  cliff  which 
overlooked  the  village,  occupied  a  controlling  and  pro 
tecting  position  in  regard  to  the  assaults  of  the  In 
dians;  but,  during  the  war  of  1812,  another  fortifica 
tion  was  erected  on  a  still  more  elevated  point,  the 
apex  of  the  heights,  and  named  Fort  George — subse 
quently  called  by  the  Americans,  Fort  Holmes,  in 
honor  of  a  gallant  officer,  a  Kentuckian,  who  fell  in  the 
unsuccessful  attempt  of  Colonel  Croghan  to  retake  the 
island  in  1814. 

Like  Detroit,  Michilimackinac  has  been  the  theater 
of  many  a  bloody  tragedy.  Its  possession  has  been  dis 
puted  by  powerful  nations,  and  its  internal  peace  has 
continually  been  made  the  sport  of  Indian  treachery, 
and  of  the  white  man's  duplicity.  To-day,  chanting 
Te  Deums  beneath  the  ample  folds  of  \hs  fleur-de-lis,  to 
morrow  yielding  to  the  power  of  the  British  lion,  and,  a 
few  years  later,  listening  to  the  exultant  screams  of  the 
American  eagle,  as  the  stars  and  stripes  float  over  the 
battlements  on  the  "  isle  of  the  dancing  spirits."  As  a 
military  post  in  time  of  war,  the  possession  of  Michili 
mackinac  is  invaluable ;  but  as  a  commercial  mart,  now 
that  the  aboriginal  tribes  have  passed  away,  the  location 
is  one  of  little  consequence. 

In  these  later  days,  to  the  invalid  and  the  pleasure- 
eeeker,  the  salubrity  of  the  pure  atmosphere,  the  beauty 


EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  339 

Michilimackinac — It  present  importance. 

of  the  scenery,  the  historical  reminiscences  which  render 
it  classic  ground,  and  the  many  wild  traditions,  peopling 
each  rock  and  glen  with  spectral  habitants,  combine  to 
throw  around  Michilimackinac  an  interest  and  attrac 
tiveness  unequalled  by  any  other  spot  on  the  Western 
Continent. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Detroit  in  1763 — Description  by  Bancroft — Number  of  French  inhabit 
ants — Enumeration  in  1764 — French  farms — English  fort — Gladwyn 
commander — Pontiac's  plan  for  its  destruction — His  attempt  and  de 
feat — Major  Campbell's  captivity  and  death — Continuation  of  the 
siege — Battle  of  Bloody  Bridge — Indians  obliged  to  disperse  in  search 
of  food — Gladwyn  provisions  the  garrison — Comparatively  quiet  win 
ter—Fort  le  Noult  built  in  1778— Detroit  in  1793— Description  by 
Spencer — Americans  take  possession  of  Detroit  in  1796. 
• 

BANCROFT  gives  the  following  beautiful  description  of 
Detroit  and  its  surroundings,  in  1763,  just  before  the 
consummation  of  the  conspiracy  of  Pontiac  : 

"  Of  all  the  inland  settlements,  Detroit  was  the  largest 
and  most  esteemed.  The  deep  majestic  river,  more- than 
half  a  mile  broad,  carrying  its  vast  flood  calmly  and 
noiselessly  between  the  strait  and  well- denned  banks  of 
its  channel,  imparted  a  grandeur  to  a  country  whose 
rising  grounds  and  meadows,  plains  festooned  with  pro 
lific  wild-vines,  woodlands,  brooks,  and  fountains,  were 
so  mingled  together  that  nothing  was  left  to  desire.  The 
climate  was  mild,  and  the  air  salubrious.  Good  land 
abounded,  yielding  maize,  wheat,  and  every  vegetable. 
The  forests  were  natural  parks  stocked  with  buffaloes, 
deer,  quails,  partridges,  and  wild  turkeys.  Water-fowl  of 


EAELY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN".  341 

Bancroft's  description  of  Detroit — French  population. 

delicious  flavor  hovered  along  its  streams,  which  yielded 
to  the  angler  an  astonishing  quantity  of  fish,  especially 
the  white  fish,  the  richest  and  most  luscious  of  them  all. 
There  every  luxury  of  the  table  might  be  enjoyed  by  the 
sole  expense  of  labor. 

"This  lovely  and  cheerful  region  attracted  settlers, 
alike  white  men  and  savages;  and  the  French  had  so 
occupied  the  two  banks  of  the  river,  that  their  numbers 
were  rated  even  so  high  as  twenty-five  hundred  souls,  of 
whom  were  five  hundred  men  a*ble  to  bear  arms ;  three 
or  four  hundred  French  families.  Yet  an  enumeration 
in  1Y64  proved  them  not  so  numerous,  with  only  men 
enough  to  form  three  companies  of  militia ;  and  in  1768, 
the  official  census  reported  but  five  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  souls ;  an  account  which  is  in  harmony  with  the  best 
tradition.  The  French  dwelt  on  farms  which  were  about 
three  or  four  acres  wide  on  the  river,  and  eighty  acres 
deep ;  indolent  in  the  midst  of  plenty,  graziers  as  well  as 
tillers  of  the  soil,  and  enriched  by  Indian  traffic. 

"  The  Upglish  fort,  of  which  Gladwyn  was  commander, 
was  a  large  stockade,  about  twenty-five  feet  high,  and 
twelve  hundred  yards  in  circumference,  including  per 
haps  eighty  houses.  It  stood  within  the  limits  of  the 
present  city,  on  the  river  bank,  commanding  a  wide 
prospect  for  nine  miles  above  and  below  the  city." 

In  maturing  his  plans  for  the  destruction  of  the  Eng- 


342  EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Pontiac's  plot  divulged  to  the  English. 

lish  posts,  Pontiac  had  reserved  Detroit  for  his  own 
special  field  of  action,  partly  because  his  village  was  on 
a  little  island  just  above  "  lie  au  Cochon,"  or  Belle  Isle, 
as  it  is  now  called,  but  more  especially  because  Detroit 
was  the  most  important  post,  and  would  require  the 
greatest  degree  of  caution  and  skill  to  secure  its  capture. 
That  he  failed  in  this  most  important  part  of  his  vast 
project  was  not  owing  to  any  deficiency  in  his  plan,  nor 
lack  of  energy  in  its  execution,  but  was  entirely  the  result 
of  circumstances  beyond  his  control.  The  treacherous 
chief  was  himself  betrayed.  His  well-arranged  plot  was 
divulged  to  the  English.  Catharine,  a  beautiful  Ojibwa 
girl  who  dwelt  in  the  village  of  the  Pottawatomies, 
had  become  much  attached  to  Major  Gladwyn,  and 
the  day  before  the  intended  massacre  she  brought  to 
the  fort  a  pair  of  moccasins  which  she  had  wrought  for 
him.  Improving  the  opportunity  thus  afforded,  she  re 
vealed  to  him  the  impending  danger.  The  same  after 
noon  William  Tucker,  a  soldier  at  the  fort,  who  had  been 
captured  in  his  boyhood,  and  adopted  into  tty  tribe  of 
his  captors,  received  from  his  Indian  sister  intimations 
of  the  designs  of  Pontiac,  which  he  communicated  to 
Gladwyn.  Strict  secrecy  was  enjoined  on  Tucker  by  the 
commander.  The  little  time  which  remained  was  dili 
gently  employed  in  preparing  for  the  assault.  The 
guards  were  doubled,  officers  were  on  the  alert,  soldiers 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  343 


English  preparations  for  defense— Indian  war-dance. 


and  inhabitants  were  ordered  to  be  ready  for  immediate 
service,  yet  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  danger  was  un- 
revealed.  The  garrison  consisted  of  only  one  hundred 
and  twenty-two  men,  and  eight  officers.  There  were  also 
about  forty  traders  and  engagers  who  resided  in  the  fort. 
Two  small  vessels,  the  Beaver  and  the  Gladwyn,  lay 
anchored  in  the  river,  though  it  is  not  known  that  their 
commanders  were  apprised  of  Pontiac's  design. 

The  day  had  been  rainy,  but  toward  evening  the  clouds 
were  swept  away,  and  the  sun  set  gloriously.  During 
the  afternoon,  the  Pottawatomies,  Hurons,  and  Ottawas 
had  gradually  withdrawn  from  their  villages  and  congre 
gated  at  the  council-ground  of  their  chief.  Only  a  few 
squaws  and  little  children  remained.  And  now,  when 
the  light  of  day  had  departed,  and  the  curtains  of  night, 
gemmed  with  stars,  closed  around  the  beautiful  earth, 
fierce,  discordant  notes  were  borne  on  the  breeze  to  the 
ears  of  the  wakeful  sentinels  and  anxious  officers  of  that 
feeble  fort  in  the  wilderness.  "Not  unfamiliar  were  the 
booming  sounds  of  the  Indian  drum  and  the  cadence  of 
the  war-song,  now  wailing  out  the  dying  agony  of  the 
victim,  now  shouting  the  fierce  cry  of  triumph.  Then, 
indeed,  the  garrison  needed  no  explanation  of  the  un 
wonted  preparations ;  too  well  they  understood  the  reason 
for  the  vigilance  of  their  officers. 

Aware  of  the  vast  superiority  of  the  Indian  force, 


344  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN-. 

Pontiac  and  his  Allies  cross  the  Detroit 

Gladwyn  feared  that,  in  the  excitement  of  their  fiendish 
orgies,  they  might  break  over  the  authority  of  their  chief, 
and  make  an  immediate  attack  on  the  fort.  But  the 
night  of  anxious  suspense  passed  away,  and  the  morning 
of  May  6th,  1763,  dawned  upon  a  quiet  landscape.  The 
misty  vail  which  hung  over  the  river  and  obscured  the 
southern  shore  was  scarcely  lifted,  when  a  large  flotilla 
of  birch  canoes  was  discovered  crossing  the  river  at  some 
distance  above  the  fort.  Only  two  or  three  savages 
could  be  seen  in  each,  yet  the  convoy  moved  slowly,  as 
if  deeply  laden.  Every  canoe  was  indeed  filled  with 
warriors,  lying  flat  on  their  faces,  that  their  great  num 
bers  might  not  excite  suspicion.  Pontiac  and  his  nume 
rous  chiefs  landed  just  above  Parent's  Creek,  out  of  sight 
of  the  fort,  while  the  other  canoes  were  drawn  up  along 
the  shore  nearer  the  town,  and  the  occupants  soon  found 
their  way  to  the  common  behind  the  fort.  They  were 
joined  by  the  women  and  children  from  the  villages,  and 
while  it  was  yet  early,  the  extensive  area  presented  an 
animated  spectacle.  The  savage  throng  moved  hither 
and  thither  as  if  preparing  for  a  game  of  ball,  a  favorite 
pastime  with  the  Indians.  Yet  there  was  an  uneasy  rest 
lessness,  then  a  suddenly  assumed  indifference  manifested 
by  the  warriors,  which  was  never  apparent  in  peaceful 
times. 

Meanwhile  the  brave  Gladwyn  was  on  the  alert.     No 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  345 

Pontiac  and  sixty  Chiefs  demand  admittance  to  the  Fort 

one  was  permitted  to  leave  the  fort.  The  impending 
danger  was  fully  known.  Every  soldier  was  under  arms, 
and  Sterling  and  the  other  fur-traders  closed  their  store 
houses,  and  armed  themselves  and  those  in  their  employ. 
Every  thing  was  in  the  most  complete  readiness,  and  the 
little  handful  of  brave-hearted  men  calmly  awaited  the 
result. 

About  ten  o'clock,  sixty  chiefs,  with  Pontiac  at  their 
head,  came  marching  down  the  river-road  in  Indian  file. 
They  moved  slowly  on,  with  solemn  and  stately  tread, 
their  faces  begrimed  with  paint,  and  their  heads  fantas 
tically  adorned.  All  were  wrapped  to  the  throat  in 
colored  blankets,  beneath  which  were  concealed  the 
rifles  they  had  shortened  for  that  purpose.  Reaching 
the  eastern  gate  of  the  fort,  they  demanded  admittance. 
It  was  readily  granted.  As  Pontiac  entered  the  gate, 
and  traversed  the  short  distance  which  intervened  be 
tween  it  and  the  council-house,  he  became  half  convinced 
that  his  plot  was  discovered.  Around  the  gate,  at  the 
door  of  the  council-house,  and  far  down  St.  Anne-street, 
was  an  unwonted  array  of  arrned  soldiers.  The  guns  on 
the  bastions  were  also  manned,  yet  all  was  calm,  sternly, 
fearfully  calm. 

"When  they  arrived  at  the  door  of  the  council-house, 
the  savages  found  Major  Gladwyn  and  his  officers  wait 
ing  to  receive  them.  "  "Why  do  I  see  so  many  of  my 


346  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN". 

Council  convened — Eloquent  speech  of  Pontiac. 

father's  young  men  standing  in  the  streets  with  their 
guns?"  demanded  Pontiac.  Gladwyn  answered  by  M. 
la  Butte,  the  interpreter,  that  it  was  customary  to  exer 
cise  the  soldiers  every  day.  After  some  hesitation,  Pon 
tiac  and  his  chiefs  seated  themselves  on  the  mats  prepared 
for  them,  and  the  business  of  the  council  commenced. 

The  customary  pause  ensued,  then  Pontiac  arose  and 
began  his  harangue.  He  assured  the  English  of  his 
unchanging  friendship,  and,  addressing  the  commandant, 
said  he  and  his  chiefs  had  come  to  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace  and  strengthen  the  cords  of  friendship. 

At  any  other  time,  the  great  Ottawa  might  have  com 
manded  admiration.  His  tall,  majestic  form  was  drawn 
up  to  its  full  height  as  he  spoke  of  the  number  and 
prowess  of  his  braves,  and  the  lightning  flashed  from  his 
eye  while  he  rehearsed  their  deeds  of  valor.  When  he- 
spoke  of  the  English,  his  reverence  for  their  superior 
knowledge,  and  his  desire  to  conciliate  their  favor,  the 
subdued  expression,  bowed  head,  and  half-supplicating 
gestures,  were  the  very  personification  of  graceful,  ap 
propriate  eloquence.  But  life  and  death  hung  upon  a 
single  movement  of  the  treacherous  hand  which  held 
that  sacred  emblem  of  peace,  a  belt  of  wampum.  With 
the  keenest  vigilance  was  every  gesture  watched  by  the 
officers  as  they  listened  to  his  hollow  words.  Once  Pon 
tiac  raised  the  belt  to  give  the  preconcerted  signal  of 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  347 

Discomfiture  of  Pontiac — Gladwyn's  reply — Kage  of  the  Savages. 

attack,  but  the  quick  eye  of  Gladwyn  caught  the  motion, 
and  he  passed  his  hand  across  his  brow.  A  sudden  clash 
of  arms  was  heard  without,  the  drum  rolled  the  charge, 
and  the  rapid  tramp  of  armed  men  resounded  along  the 
street.  Pontiac  stood  in  mute  astonishment,  while  Glad 
wyn  sat  unmoved,  with  his  calm  eye  fixed  on  the  treach 
erous  chief.  A  few  more  professions  of  friendship  were 
stammered  out,  and  the  belt  was  presented  in  the  usual 
manner. 

After  a  pause,  Gladwyn  commenced  a  brief  reply. 
He  assured  his  savage  auditors  of  the  friendship  and 
protection  of  the  English  so  long  as  they  continued  to 
deserve  it,  but  threatened  the  most  fearful  vengeance 
for  any  act  of  perfidy  or  aggression.  The  council  broke 
up.  The  gates  of  the  fort,  which  had  been  closed  during 
the  interview,  were  thrown  open,  and  the  baffled  savages 
departed.  No  sooner  were  they  beyond  the  precincts  of 
the  fort  than  their  rage  burst  forth  in  most  terrific  yells. 
A  small  party  rushed  madly  to  a  lone  house  on  the  com 
mon,  where  dwelt  an  Englishwoman  and  her  two  sons, 
whom  they  massacred.  Others  ran  to  the  water's  edge, 
sprang  into  their  canoes,  and  proceeded  to  He  au  Cochon, 
and  wreaked  their  vengeance  on  a  discharged  sergeant 
and  his  family,  who  resided  there.  Meanwhile,  the  main 
body  of  the  Indians,  consisting  of  about  one  thousand 
warriors,  stationed  themselves  behind  the  picket  fences, 


348  EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Eemoval  of  Pontiac's  camp — Detroit  besieged. 

and  the  houses  and  barns  on  the  common,  and  com 
menced  firing  upon  the  garrison. 

It  is  said  that  Pontiac  took  no  part  in  these  demon 
strations,  but  sullenly  walked  away  alone,  embarked  in 
his  canoe,  and  paddled  to  the  Ottawa  village  on  the 
southern  shore.  With  every  expression  of  demoniac 
rage,  he  ordered  the  immediate  removal  of  the  camp 
to  the  opposite  shore.  His  commands  were  obeyed  with 
the  utmost  alacrity,  and  before  nightfall  the  wigwams  of 
Pontiac's  camp  occupied  the  rising  ground  beyond  Pa 
rent's  Creek.  No  watery  barrier  now  intervened  between 
the  blood-thirsty  warrior  and  his  beleaguered  foe.  Detroit 
was  in  a  state  of  siege.  Day  and  night  an  incessant 
firing  was  kept  up  by  the  Indians,  and  a  simultaneous 
attack  upon  the  fort  was  hourly  expected. 

When  the  council  was  held  in  the  fort,  Gladwyn  was 
by  no  means  aware  of  the  extent  of  Pontiac's  schemes, 
and  considered  the  attack  on  Detroit  merely  as  one  of 
those  impulsive  outbreaks  which  frequently  occurred; 
but  he  was  soon  undeceived  by  the  commission  of  an 
act  of  treachery  for  which  even  the  Canadians  were 
unprepared. 

Major  Campbell,  who  had  held  the  command  since 
the  country  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  still  re 
mained  at  the  fort.  He  was  highly  esteemed,  both  by 
the  Canadians  and  Indians.  Pontiac  formed  the  design 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  349 

Treachery  of  Pontiac — Major  Campbell  retained  as  Hostage. 

of  getting  this  officer  into  his  possession,  and  making  his 
life  an  equivalent  for  the  surrender  of  the  fort. 

The  Canadians  were  the  means  of  communication  be 
tween  the  British  and  Indians.  By  them  Pontiac  sent  a 
request  that  Major  Campbell  would  visit  him  in  his 
camp,  that  they  might  "  settle  all  difficulties,  and  smoke 
the  pipe  of  peace  together."  He  gave  the  most  positive 
assurances  that  Campbell  should  be  permitted  to  go  and 
return  in  perfect  safety.  Messrs.  Godfrey  and  Chapoton 
were  deputed  to  visit  Pontiac,  and  assure  themselves  of 
his  sincerity.  Conversant  as  they  were  with  the  Indian 
character,  they  were  deceived  by  his  consummate  du 
plicity,  and  advised  Major  Campbell  to  accept  the  invi 
tation.  Anxious  to  terminate  this  vexatious  warfare, 
even  at  the  hazard  of  his  own  life,  Major  Campbell,  ac 
companied  by  Lieutenant  McDougall,  and  a  number  of 
Canadians,  repaired  to  Pontiac's  camp. 

At  first  they  were  well  received,  but  soon  became 
aware  that  they  were  in  the  power  of  a  treacherous  foe. 
The  Canadians  were  sent  back,  with  a  message  from 
Pontiac  to  Major  Gladwyn,  that  Major  Campbell  and 
Lieutenant  McDougall  would  be  held  as  hostages  for  the 
surrender  of  the  fort.  The  prisoners  were  detained  at 
the  house  of  M.  Meloche,  near  the  bridge  which  spanned 
Parent's  Creek.  They  were  permitted  to  walk  out  occa 
sionally,  and  during  one  of  these  walks,  Lieutenant 


350  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Major  Campbell  massacred  by  an  Ottawa 

McDougall  proposed  making  an  attempt  to  escape.  The 
Indians  were  so  numerous  that  there  was  little  prospect 
of  success;  and,  fearing  that  his  own  defective  vision 
might  impede  the  progress  of  his  friend,  Major  Camp 
bell  declined.  They  parted,  and  Lieutenant  McDougall 
reached  the  fort  in  safety. 

The  weary  days  of  Major  Campbell's  captivity  passed 
on.  All  attempts  at  negotiation  with  Pontiac  received 
but  one  reply :  "  Surrender  the  fort,  and  Major  Camp 
bell  shall  be  set  free."  But  those  tedious  hours  were 
numbered  —  deliverance  was  near.  One  day,  while 
taking  his  accustomed  walk,  he  was  met  by  an  Ottawa, 
whose  uncle,  a  celebrated  chief,  had  been  killed  by  the 
English  at  Michilimackinac.  Fired  with  the  spirit  of 
revenge,  the  blood-thirsty  savage  rushed  upon  Major 
Campbell,  and  by  one  blow  of  the  tomahawk  put  an  end 
to  his  valuable  life.  Apprehending  the  vengeance  of 
Pontiac,  the  murderer  fled  to  Saginaw.  In  vain  was 
every  effort  made  by  the  indignant  chief  to  apprehend 
the  miscreant,  whose  own  life  would  have  paid  the  pen 
alty  of  his  temerity.  The  death  of  Major  Campbell  was 
a  sad  blow  to  the  besieged  and  almost  disheartened 
garrison. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  the  schooner  Gladwyn  was  dis 
patched  to  Niagara,  to  hasten  the  arrival  of  the  supplies 
which  were  daily  expected.  On  the  30th,  a  convoy  of 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  S51 

Convoy  captured — News  of  the  destruction  of  other  Forts. 

boats  was  descried  coming  around  the  point,  and  the 
whole  garrison  joyfully  flocked  to  the  bastions.  A  sa 
lute  was  fired  from  the  fort,  but,  instead  of  the  answering 
guns,  the  Indian  death-cry  came  wailing  across  the 
waters.  The  convoy,  consisting  of  twenty-two  batteaux 
laden  with  provisions  and  munitions  of  war,  and  manned 
by  a  re-enforcement  of  troops,  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  The  prisoners  were  taken  to  He  au  Cochon, 
and  put  to  death  with  all  the  horrors  of  Indian  barbarity. 
This  loss  was  a  terrible  calamity.  Then  came  the  news 
of  the  destruction  of  Michilimackinac  and  St.  Joseph's 
at  the  north,  and  the  capture  of  Forts  Sandusky,  Miami, 
and  Presqu'ile  at  the  south.  "West  of  Niagara  and 
Fort  Pitt,  Detroit  was  the  only  remaining  post. 

About  this  time,  a  large  body  of  the  warlike  Ojibwas 
joined  themselves  to  the  Pottawatomies,  Hurons,  and 
Ottawas,  and  Pontiac  felt  certain  of  success.  Still  the 
little  fort  held  out.  Every  building  outside  the  ramparts 
which  could  shelter  the  Indians,  was  burned  with  hot 
shot  fired  from  the  fort,  or  by  sorties  made  for  that  pur 
pose  by  the  garrison.  Every  man  was  on  duty.  "For 
sixty  days  and  nights,"  said  William  Tucker,  one  of  the 
soldiers,  "  I  was  a  sentinel  on  the  ramparts,  catching  a 
few  hours  sleep,  with  my  clothes  on  and  a  gun  by  my 
side." 

The  news  of  peace  between  France  and  England,  and 


352  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Neutrality  of  Canadians — Attempts  to  burn  the  Vessels. 

the  cession  to  the  English  of  all  the  French  possessions 
in  Canada,  reached  Detroit  on  the  3d  of  June.  It  was 
immediately  communicated  to  the  French  inhabitants, 
who  found  their  relations  essentially  changed.  From 
being  prisoners  by  capitulation,  they  now  had  the  power 
to  continue  their  neutrality,  or  take  part  with  the  con 
tending  parties.  They  chose  to  remain  neutral ;  nor 
could  all  the  persuasions  or  threats  of  Pontiac  induce 
them  to  join  him. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  the  vessel  which  had  been  sent 
to  Niagara  for  aid,  after  having  been  twice  attacked  by 
the  Indians,  succeeded  in  reaching  Detroit  in  safety. 
She  brought  a  re-enforcement  of  sixty  troops,  with  pro 
visions  and  ammunition. 

Pontiac  now  saw  the  necessity  of  destroying  the  two 
vessels  which  again  lay  anchored  before  the  fort.  For 
that  purpose,  rafts  were  constructed  of  materials  obtained 
by  demolishing  the  barns  of  some  of  the  inhabitants. 
Pitch  and  other  combustibles  were  added.  The  rafts 
were  towed  to  a  proper  position  above  the  vessels,  and 
set  on  fire,  with  the  expectation  that  the  current  would 
bring  them  in  contact,  thus  securing  the  destruction  of 
these  formidable  foes.  Twice  was  the  attempt  repeated, 
but  by  the  precautions  of  the  English,  the  rafts  passed 
the  vessels  without  inflicting  the  slightest  injury. 

On  the  29th  of  July,  another  fleet  of  boats  was  seen 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  353 

Captain  Dalzell  and  three  hundred  Troops  reach  Detroit 

ascending  the  river.  Former  experience  had  moderated 
the  hopes  of  the  weary  garrison,  but  had  by  no  means 
diminished  their  anxiety.  A  gun  was  fired  from  the 
fort,  and,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  eager  throng,  an  an 
swering  salute  was  returned  by  the  boats,  each  of  which 
carried  four  swivels  and  two  mortars.  On  board  was  a 
detachment  of  three  hundred  regular  troops,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Dalzell,  an  aid-de-camp  of  the 
British  commander-in-chief,  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst. 

On  the  very  day  of  his  arrival,  Captain  Dalzell  sought 
an  interview  with  Major  Gladwyn,  and  asked  permission 
to  attack  Pontiac  in  his  camp.  Fresh,  vigorous,  and  en 
thusiastic,  he  endeavored  to  convince  the  more  cautious 
Gladwyn  that  the  time  had  come  when  one  decisive 
blow  would  terminate  this  vexatious  war.  Gladwyn 
hesitated,  explained  the  position  of  affairs,  and  the  dan 
ger  of  such  an  attempt,  but  was,  at  last,  persuaded  to 
yield  a  reluctant  consent. 

By  the  carelessness  of  some  of  the  officers,  Dalzell's 
design  became  known  to  the  Canadians,  and  Pontiac  was 
soon  apprised  of  it.  He  had  recently  removed  his  camp 
farther  back  from  the  river,  beyond  the  grand  marais,  a 
locality  subsequently  well  known  to  the  citizens  of  De 
troit.  The  camp  was  immediately  broken  up,  and  the 
Indians  repaired  to  the  vicinity  of  the  creek,  and  sta 
tioned  themselves  along  the  route  which  their  enemy 

23 


354  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Expedition  against  Pontiac's  camp — Parent's  Creek. 

would  traverse.  One  party  of  warriors  concealed  them 
selves  behind  the  outhouses  and  cord-wood  on  a  farm 
just  beyond  the  creek ;  another  was  stationed  within  the 
pickets  that  lined  the  road  on  the  farm  of  M.  Dequindre. 
Indeed,  wherever  there  was  a  place  of  shelter,  beyond 
the  range  of  the  cannon  at  the  fort,  there  a  band  of  In 
dians  was  concealed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  31st  of  July,  about  two  o'clock, 
the  gates  of  the  fort  swung  open,  and  three  hundred  sol 
diers  marched  silently  forth.  In  double  file  and  perfect 
order,  they  proceeded  along  the  river  road,  while  two 
large  batteaux  rowed  up  the  river  abreast  of  them. 
Each  boat  was  full-manned,  and  bore  a  swivel  in  the 
bow.  The  advanced  guard  of  twenty-five  men  was  led 
by  Lieutenant  Brown ;  Captain  Gray  commanded  the 
center,  and  Captain  Grant's  detachment  brought  up  the 
rear.  The  night  was  dark,  still,  and  sultry.  On  the 
right  of  the  advancing  troops  lay  the  broad,  placid  river, 
and  on  their  left  the  farm-houses  and  picketed  fields  of 
the  Canadians  appeared  in  dim  outline. 

Parent's  creek  entered  Detroit  river  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  from  the  fort.  At  that  point  its  course  lay  through 
a  deep  ravine,  and  only  a  few  rods  from  its  mouth, 
where  the  road  crossed,  it  was  spanned  by  a  narrow 
wooden  bridge.  For  a  little  distance  beyond  the  bridge, 
the  ground  was  rugged  and  broken.  Along  the  summit 


EARLY   HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN.  355 


Night  march — Bloody  Bridge — Indian  ambuscade. 


of  the  highest  ridges  were  rude  intrenchments,  which 
had  been  thrown  up  by  Pontiac  to  protect  his  former 
camp. 

The  troops  pushed  rapidly  forward,  unsuspicious  of 
danger,  till  they  neared  the  bridge.  As  they  passed  the 
farm-houses  of  the  Canadians,  the  wolfish  watch-dogs, 
roused  from  their  slumbers,  barked  furiously,  and  some 
times  a  head  would  be  seen  cautiously  protruded  from 
a  dormer  window,  but  naught  gave  token  of  the  pres 
ence  of  an  invisible  foe.  The  bridge  was  nearly  gained. 
On  the  left  stood  the  house  of  Meloche,  where  Major 
Campbell  had  been  held  prisoner;  in  front  was  the 
bridge,  scarcely  visible,  and  beyond  rose  the  banks  of 
the  ravine,  dark  as  a  wall  of  night.  Still  onward — the 
advanced  guard  had  reached  the  farther  extremity  of 
the  bridge,  and  the  main  body  was  just  entering  upon 
it,  when  the  fearful  war-whoop  burst  forth,  and  Indian 
guns  sent  out  a  volley  of  leaden  death.  Half  the  ad 
vanced  guard  fell,  and  the  survivors  shrank  back  ap 
palled.  Captain  Dalzell  immediately  advanced  to  the 
front,  his  clear  voice  rose  above  the  din,  and  the  troops 
rallied,  arid  rushed  madly  across  the  bridge  and  up  the 
ascent  beyond.  But  their  foes  had  fled.  In  vain  they 
sought  them  in  the  gloom ;  yet  their  guns  flashed  almost 
incessantly,  and  the  war-cry  rang  out  with  undiminished 
ferocity.  The  English  were  unacquainted  with  the  lo- 


356  EAKLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Indians  attack  the  British— Captain  Gray  killed. 

cality,  and  were  soon  bewildered  in  the  darkness.  At 
every  pause  of  the  soldiery,  the  unseen  enemy  renewed 
their  fire.  Farther  advance  was  useless,  and  the  only 
alternative  was  to  retire  to  the  fort,  and  resume  the  at 
tack  by  daylight. 

Captain  Grant  withdrew  his  company  across  the  bridge 
and  stationed  them  in  the  road.  A  small  detachment 
remained  to  keep  the  enemy  in  check  while  the  dead 
and  wounded  were  conveyed  to  the  batteaux,  which, 
during  the  action,  had  been  rowed  up  to  the  bridge,  and 
the  remaining  troops  recrossed  the  bridge  and  joined 
Captain  Grant.  During  these  proceedings  a  sharp  firing 
was  kept  up  on  both  sides  ;  and  in  attempting  to  dislodge 
the  enemy  from  one  of  their  positions,  Captain  Gray  was 
killed.  Suddenly,  volley  after  volley  was  heard  in  Cap 
tain  Grant's  vicinity.  A  large  body  of  Indians  had  taken 
shelter  in  the  house  of  Meloche,  and  in  the  adjoining 
orchards.  The  brave  Grant  and  his  no  less  courageous 
troops  advanced  and  dislodged  the  foe  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  From  two  Canadians  whom  Captain  Grant 
found  in  the  house  of  Meloche,  he  learned  that  the  In 
dians  were  resolved  to  effect  the  complete  destruction  of 
the  English,  and  had  gone  in  great  numbers  to  occupy 
different  points  below.  An  immediate  retreat  was  there 
fore  necessary,  and  the  men  resumed  their  marching 
order.  Captain  Grant  was  now  in  advance,  and  Dalzell 


EARLY   HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  357 

Terrible  slaughter— Retreat  of  the  English— Dalzeirs  death. 

in  the  rear.  About  a  mile  from  the  fort,  on  the  right  as 
they  descended,  was  a  cluster  of  houses  and  barns  in 
trenched  within  strong  picket  fences.  The  river  ran 
close  on  the  left,  and  there  was  no  way  of  escape  except 
along  the  narrow  passage  that  lay  between.  To  many 
of  the  retreating  soldiers  it  was  the  way  of  death. 
Hundreds  of  Indians  lay  in  ambuscade.  The  troops 
were  suffered  to  advance  unmolested  till  they  were  di 
rectly  opposite,  when,  with  terrific  yells,  the  Indians 
poured  volley  after  volley  upon  them.  The  troops  broke 
their  ranks,  and  but  for  the  presence  of  Dalzell,  himself 
twice  wounded,  they  would  have  fled,  and  thus  secured 
their  complete  destruction.  Encouraged  by  the  voice  of 
their  leader,  the  soldiers  again  rallied,  and  comparative 
order  was  restored.  A  little  farther  on,  the  brave  Dalzell 
stepped  aside  from  the  ranks  to  aid  a  wounded  soldier, 
and  was  shot  dead  by  a  ball  from  the  enemy. 

The  Indians  still  pressed  on  in  hot  pursuit,  and  de 
struction  seemed  inevitable,  when  Major  Rogers  and  his 
rangers  succeeded  in  gaining  possession  of  the  house 
of  M.  Campau,  which  commanded  the  road  and  covered 
the  retreat  of  the  regulars. 

Meantime  Captain  Grant  had  moved  forward  half  a 
mile,  and  was  able  to  maintain  his  position  within  the 
inclosure  of  an  orchard  until  the  arrival  of  the  remaining 
troops.  All  the  men  he  could  spare  were  detached  to 


358  EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN". 

Survivors  reach  the  Fort — Bloody  Kun. 

different  points  below,  and  the  constantly  arriving  troops 
enabled  him  to  reinforce  these  posts  till  a  line  of  com 
munication  was  formed  to  the  fort,  effectually  securing 
the  retreat.  But  Major  Rogers  and  his  men  found  them 
selves  besieged  in  the  house  of  Campau  by  about  two 
hundred  Indians. 

The  two  batteaux,  which  had  brought  the  dead  and 
wounded  to  the  fort,  now  returned  and  opened  a  fire 
from  their  swivels,  which  dispersed  the  savages  and 
covered  the  retreat  of  Rogers.  At  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  survivors  entered  the  fort,  having  lost  sev 
enty  men  killed  and  forty  wounded. 

Thus  disastrously  terminated  the  sanguinary  battle  of 
Bloody  Bridge,  the  most  terrible  conflict  on  record  in 
the  annals  of  Detroit.  Fearfully  appropriate  is  the 
present  name  of  that  little  stream.  Though  the  bridge 
is  gone,  the  way-marks  are  all  there,  and  many  an  eastern 
traveler  turns  aside  to  call  up  reminiscences  of  the  past 
on  the  very  spot  where  trod  the  renowned  Pontiac,  and 
where  the  life-tide  of  many  victims  crimsoned  the  waters 
of  Bloody  Run. 

No  other  battle  was  fought,  but  from  early  in  May 
until  the  end  of  September,  Detroit  continued  in  a  state 
of  siege.  Yet  the  garrison  still  held  out.  At  last,  when 
hope  had  almost  expired,  the  advanced  season  obliged 
the  Indians  to  seek  in  the  chase  that  sustenance  which 


EAKLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  359 

Termination  of  the  Sieger— Treaty  of  Peace. 

they  could  no  longer  find  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort.  By 
great  efforts  the  indefatigable  Gladwyn  obtained  from 
the  Canadians  sufficient  provisions  for  the  town  during 
the  winter.  This  long,  dreary,  hopeless  season  was  passed 
in  comparative  quietude. 

With  the  opening  of  spring  the  Indian  tribes  again 
began  to  move  toward  Detroit,  but  the  negotiations  of 
Sir  William  Johnson,  and  the  approach  of  General  Brad- 
street,  a  dreaded  name  among  the  Indians,  induced  them 
to  relinquish  their  vengeful  purpose.  Treaties  of  peace 
were  at  length  made,  and  Michilimacldnac,  Green  Bay, 
and  Saut  Ste.  Marie,  were  again  garrisoned. 

The  war  of  the  revolution  had  no  other  effect  on  De 
troit  and  the  more  distant  posts,  than  to  subject  them  to 
greater  annoyances  from  the  Indian  tribes,  though  the 
progress  of  the  tide  of  war  was  watched  with  some  de 
gree  of  anxiety.  The  success  of  the  American  arms  at 
Yincennes  in  1778,  and  the  prospect  that  the  victorious 
troops  would  continue  their  course  onward  to  Detroit, 
induced  Major  Le  Noult,  the  commanding  officer,  to 
erect  a  fort  on  the  rising  ground,  or  "  second  terrace," 
outside  of  the  palisades,  and  back  of  the  city.  This  large 
and  efficient  fortification  was  called  Fort  le  Noult  until 
after  the  war  of  1812,  when  it  assumed  the  name  of  Fort 
Shelby. 

By  the  treaty  of  peace  made  in  1783  between  Great 


360  EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Indian  war— Northwest  Territory  organized. 

Britain  and  the  United  States,  it  was  claimed  that  Michi 
gan  was  within  American  bounds ;  but  minor  questions 
sprang  up  between  the  two  governments  producing  mu 
tual  dissatisfaction,  and  when  President  Washington  sent 
Baron  Steuben  to  Quebec  to  make  arrangements  for  the 
transfer  of  the  northwestern  forts,  he  was  informed  by 
Sir  Frederick  Haldimand  that  the  surrender  of  the  forts 
could  not  take  place  at  that  time,  and  was  refused  pass 
ports  to  Niagara  and  Detroit. 

The  Indian  tribes,  greatly  dissatisfied  with  the  aggres 
sions  of  the  American  settlers  upon  their  lands,  and 
probably  instigated  by  the  British,  made  frequent  at 
tacks  upon  the  feeble  settlements  on  the  borders  of  Ken 
tucky  and  Ohio.  An  Indian  war  was  the  result,  and 
Harmar,  St.  Clair,  and  "Wayne  prosecuted  their  several 
campaigns  before  peace  was  established. 

In  1787,  the  whole  region  claimed  by  the  Americans 
lying  northwrest  of  the  Ohio  river,  though  still  occupied 
by  the  British,  was  organized  by  Congress  into  a  North 
west  Territory,  and  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  was  appointed 
governor. 

Under  the  British  rule,  there  was  a  constant  improve 
ment  in  the  appearance  of  Detroit,  but  more  especially 
in  the  military  appointments.  New  barracks  for  officers 
and  soldiers  were  built,  and  a  handsome  esplanade,  and 
two  or  three  military  gardens,  were  laid  out  between  the 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  S61 

Description  of  Detroit  in  1793  by  Spencer. 

fort  and  the  town.  The  palisades  which  surrounded  the 
town  were  extended  so  as  to  intersect  the  corners  of  the 
fort,  and  thus  afforded  additional  protection  to  the  in 
habitants. 

The  following  minute  description  of  Detroit  in  1793  is 
given  by  Rev.  O.  M.  Spencer,  who  was  then  a  lad  twelve 
or  thirteen  years  old.  While  at  play  with  other  boys 
near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  he  was  taken  captive  by  a  band 
of  Miami  Indians,  and  brought  to  their  village,  near  the 
present  site  of  Fort  "Wayne.  By  General  Washington's 
request,  General  Simcoe,  commander-in-chief  of  the  Bri 
tish  forces  in  the  northwest,  ordered  Colonel  England, 
who  then  commanded  at  Detroit,  to  ransom  the  lad. 
After  a  few  months'  sojourn  with  his  kind  British  friends 
at  Detroit,  he  was  safely  returned  to  his  parents.  Though 
a  mere  child,  young  Spencer  kept  a  written  journal  du 
ring  his  captivity,  which  forms  the  basis  of  a  narrative 
since  published,  and  from  which  this  remarkably  correct 
extract  is  taken. 

"  Detroit,"  says  Mr.  Spencer,  "  was  then  a  small  town, 
containing  only  wooden  buildings,  but  few  of  which  were 
well  finished,  surrounded  by  high  pickets,  inclosing  an 
area  of  probably  half  a  mile  square,  about  one-third  of 
which,  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  as  the  Strait  was 
called,  was  covered  with  houses.  There  were,  I  think, 
four  narrow  streets  running  parallel  with  the  river,  and 


362  EARLY   HISTOEY  OF  MICHIGAN". 


Citadel— Esplanade— Size  and  construction  of  the  Fort 


intersected  by  four  or  five  more  at  right  angles.  At 
each  end  of  the  second  street  was  an  entrance  into  the 
city,  secured  by  heavy  wooden  gates.  North  of  this 
street,  at  the  west  end  of  the  town,  was  a  space  about 
two  hundred  feet  square,  inclosed  on  a  part  of  two 
sides  with  palisades,  within  which  a  row  of  handsome 
two-story  barracks,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  offi 
cers,  occupied  the  west  side,  and  buildings  of  the  same 
height  for  the  soldiers'  quarters,  stood  on  the  north  and 
a  part  of  the  east  side.  The  open  space  was  occupied  as 
a  parade-ground,  where  the  troops  were  every  day  ex 
ercised  by  the  adjutant.  In  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
large  area,  inclosed  with  pickets,  on  ground  slightly 
elevated,  stood  the  fort,  separated  from  the  houses  by  an 
esplanade,  and  surrounded  first  by  an  abatis  of  tree-tops 
about  four  feet  high,  having  the  butts  of  the  limbs 
sharpened  and  projecting  outward ;  then  by  a  deep 
ditch,  in  the  center  of  which  were  high  pickets;  and 
then  by  a  row  of  light  palisades,  seven  or  eight  feet 
long,  projecting  horizontally  from  the  glacis. 

"  The  fort  itself,  covering  not  more  than  half  an  acre 
of  ground,  was  square,  having  a  bastion  at  each  angle, 
with  parapets  and  ramparts  so  high  as  to  entirely  shelter 
the  quarters  within,  which  were  bomb-proof.  Its  en 
trance  was  on  the  south  side,  facing  the  river,  over  a 
drawbridge,  and  through  a  covered  way,  over  which,  on 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  363 

Artillery— Officers— Garrison— Shipping. 

each  side,  were  long  iron  cannon,  carrying  twenty-four 
pound  shots,  and  which  the  officers  called  the  '  British 
lions,'  while  on  each  of  the  other  sides  were  planted  two, 
and  on  each  bastion  four  cannon  of  various  caliber — six, 
nine,  and  twelve  pounders.  By  the  side  of  the  gate, 
near  the  end  of  the  officers'  barracks,  was  a  twenty-four 
pounder ;  and,  for  the  protection  of  the  south  side  of  the 
town,  there  were  two  small  batteries  of  cannon  on  the 
bank  of  the  river. 

"  The  fort  was  garrisoned  by  a  company  of  artillery, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Spear,  while  two  com 
panies  of  infantry,  and  one  of  grenadiers  of  the  twenty- 
fourth  (Colonel  England's  regiment),  were  quartered  in 
the  barracks ;  the  balance  of  the  regiment  was  at  Mich- 
ilimackinac  and  other  northern  posts. 

"  In  the  spring  of  1793,  there  were  anchored  in  the 
river  in  front  of  the  town,  three  brigs  of  about  two  hun 
dred  tuns  each — the  Chippewa  and  the  Ottawa,  new  ves 
sels,  carrying  eight  guns  each,  the  Dunmore,  an  old  ves 
sel  of  six  guns,  and  a  sloop,  the  Felicity,  of  about  one 
hundred  tuns,  armed  with  only  two  swivels,  all  belong 
ing  to  His  Majesty  George  III.,  and  commanded  by 
Commodore  Grant.  There  were,  besides,  several  mer 
chantmen,  sloops,  and  schooners,  the  property  of  private 
individuals." 

By  the  stipulations  of  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  made 


364:  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

British  evacuate  Detroit — Americans  take  possession. 

by  Gen.  Wayne  with  the  Indian  tribes  in  August,  1795, 
Detroit  and  all  the  region  of  the  northwest  became  the 
undisputed  property  of  the  United  States. 

Before  evacuating  the  fort  at  Detroit,  the  British  sol 
diery  filled  the  wells  with  stones,  broke  the  windows  of 
the  barracks,  and  locked  the  gates  of  the  fort,  commit 
ting  the  keys  to  the  care  of  an  old  negro,  in  whose  pos 
session  they  were  afterward  found. 

In  1796,  Captain  Porter,  with  a  detachment  of  troops 
from  General  "Wayne's  army,  took  possession  of  Detroit, 
and  flung  out  to  the  breeze  the  first  American  banner 
that  ever  floated  over  the  soil  of  the  Peninsular  State. 


First   Chief  Justice. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Localities  of  Detroit— The  city  in  1701— In  1763  and  1796— Eiver  Savoy 
ard — Settlements  at  Grosse  Point,  along  the  St.  Clair  river — French 
inhabitants — Domestic  life — Increase  of  immigration — Settlements  on 
the  Detroit — Improved  appearance  of  the  country — Social  life  at  De 
troit — Business — French  characteristics — Summer  recreations — Le 
grand  marais — Winter  amusements — Easy  life  in  the  fort — Establish 
ment  of  the  civil  government — Michigan  territory  organized — Detroit 
burned — Arrival  of  the  government  officers — Act  of  Congress  for  the 
relief  of  the  sufferers  by  fire — Legislative  board  organized. 

To  enable  the  reader  who  is  familiar  with  Detroit  as 
it  now  exists,  to  trace  the  boundaries  of  the  old  town  by 
the  well-known  localities  of  the  new,  we  will  describe  as 
accurately  as  possible  the  site  of  Fort  Pontchartrain  in 
1701 ;  the  boundaries  of  Detroit  as  it  existed  in  1763 ; 
and  the  localities  indicated  on  the  map  of  1796. 

Old  Fort  Pontchartrain,  built  by  M.  la  Motte  Cadillac 
in  1701,  occupied  the  ground  where  now  stand  the 
"  Cooper  block,"  and  the  Fanners'  and  Mechanics'  and 
Peninsular  banks,  and  extended  west  a  little  below  the 
"  Michigan  Exchange ;"  thence  running  south  to  Wood- 
bridge-street,  which  was  then  the  margin  of  the  river, 
thence  east  and  north  to  the  place  of  beginning,  includ 
ing  a  space  about  equal  to  one  square  block  of  the  pres 
ent  city. 


366  EAELY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Detroit  at  the  time  of  Pontiac's  conspiracy. 

At  the  time  of  Pontiac's  conspiracy  in  1763,  the  origi 
nal  fortifications  had  been  greatly  enlarged  (the  whole 
town  was  inclosed  in  palisades  and  was  called  the  fort), 
and  extended  from  the  river  bank,  on  Griswold-street, 
north  to  the  alley  between  Jefferson  Avenue  and  Larned- 
street,  thence  as  far  as  the  western  boundary  of  the  first 
fort,  thence  south  and  uniting  with  the  old  palisade,  in 
closing  a  space  about  twelve  hundred  yards  in  circum 
ference.  "  Pontiac's  Gate"  was  the  eastern  entrance  to 
the  town,  and  occupied  the  site  of  the  United  States 
Courthouse.  This  gate  received  its  name  from  the  fact 
that  here  the  renowned  chief  entered  wiien  he  came  to 
hold  a  council  with  Major  Gladwyn,  and  through  it  he 
retreated,  crest-fallen,  when  he  found  that  his  perfidy 
was  discovered.  St.  Anne's  church,  a  rude  chapel,  stood 
on  the  north  side  of  St.  Anne-street,  nearly  in  the  mid 
dle  of  the  present  Jefferson  Avenue,  and  in  front  of  the 
"  Conant  block."  Opposite  the  church,  on  the  south 
side  of  St.  Anne-street,  was  a  large  military  garden,  in 
which  stood  a  blockhouse,  where  all  the  councils  with 
the  Indians  were  held.  It  was  also  the  place  of  meet 
ing  for  deliberative  consultations  among  the  officers 
of  the  garrison.  These  two  were  the  only  public  build 
ings  in  the  town. 

In  1796,  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  town  remained 
the  same  as  far  north  as  Congress-street,  then  taking  an 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  367 

Localities  indicated  on  Map  of  1T96. 

angular  direction,  intersected  the  southeastern  angle 
of  Fort  le  Noult  or  Shelby.  The  southern  angle  of  the 
palisade,  which  marked  the  western  boundary  of  the 
city,  was  at  Cass-street.  It  extended  from  the  river 
north,  and  intersected  the  western  angle  of  the  fort,  giv 
ing  the  town  a  triangular  form.  The  fort  extended  from 
Wayne-street  to  about  half  way  between  Shelby  and 
Griswold  streets,  thence  north  to  Lafayette-street.  The 
south  side  fronted  on  Fort-street,  the  southeast  angle  ex 
tending  across  to  about  half  way  between  Fort  and  Con 
gress  streets. 

The  River  Savoyard  ran  between  Congress  and  Earned 
streets,  and  emptied  into  the  Detroit  near  "  Kendrick's 
foundry."  This  stream  was  sufficiently  large  to  float 
canoes,  and  parties  of  officers  and  their  ladies  often  em 
barked  from  the  beautiful  esplanade,  and  passed  down 
its  rippling  waters  to  the  broad,  placid  Detroit.  Hither 
and  thither,  ever  within  range  of  the  protecting  guns  of 
the  fort,  danced  the  tiny  barks  with  their  light-hearted 
voyagers,  and  the  wild  song  of  the  Canadian  boatmen 
woke  the  slumbering  echoes  of  the  distant  shore. 

The  large  grants  of  land  offered  to  actual  settlers,  with 
rations  from  the  fort  for  a  specified  time  after  their  arri 
val,  had,  during  the  British  domination,  induced  a  few 
Scotch  and  English  families  to  immigrate,  and  settle 
along  the  banks  of  the  Detroit  and  St.  Clair  rivers.  The 


368  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 

French  Inhabitants — Settlements  along  the  St.  Clair. 

French  inhabitants,  many  of  whom  had  intermarried 
with  the  Indians,  had  been  permitted  to  retain  and  enjoy 
their  farms  above  and  below  the  city,  and  when  the 
American  eagle  became  the  symbol  of  the  ruling  power, 
they  were  in  a  prosperous  condition.  They  owned  large 
herds  of  cattle  and  wild  horses,  and  numerous  flocks  of 
sheep,  and  raised  sufficient  grain  to  supply  their  own 
necessities.  Of  the  manufacture  of  wool  they  were  en 
tirely  ignorant,  using  the  fleeces  to  protect  their  cellar 
windows  from  the  frost,  and  like  strange  appropriations 
of  that  valuable  article.  The  women  were  indifferent 
housekeepers,  sewing  being  their  principal  employment, 
many  of  them  earning  considerable  sums  by  the  manu 
facture  of  rude  garments  for  the  Indian  traffic. 

Soon  after  the  stars  and  stripes  began  to  wave  above 
the  fort,  a  number  of  emigrants  from  France,  who  had 
spent  some  years  in  the  colonies,  removed  to  Detroit,  and 
about  the  same  time  a  few  Americans  also  ventured  to 
find  homes  in  this  far-off  wilderness.  From  1796  to  1805 
there  was  a  constant,  gradual  accession  to  the  number  of 
inhabitants  in  the  town  and  surrounding  country.  A 
small  settlement  had  already  been  formed  at  Grosse 
Point,  twelve  miles  above  Detroit  on  Lake  St.  Clair,  and 
a  few  adventurous  farmers  had  even  dared  to  find  homes 
on  the  St.  Clair  river,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  vil 
lage  of  Newport. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  SG9 

Vicinity  of  Detroit— Agriculture— Mills. 

Along  the  banks  of  the  Detroit  new  farm-houses 
arose,  and  agriculture  assumed  a  better  character  un 
der  a  more  enlightened  cultivation ;  yet  the  progress 
toward  independence  was  very  much  slower  than  in 
new  settlements  at  the  present  day-.  The  great  number 
of  Indians  compelled  the  inhabitants  to  settle  in  close 
proximity  along  the  rivers,  arid  prevented  them  from 
selecting  the  richer  lands  of  the  interior.  The  lack  of 
water-power  also  obliged  them  to  depend  solely  upon 
the  rudely  constructed  windmills  of  the  French  for  the 
flouring  of  their  grain;  while  their  lumber  was  sawed 
by  the  slow  and  laborious  method  of  whip-sawing.  Six 
miles  below  the  city,  on  the  river  Rouge,  was  a  windmill 
known  as  "Baby's  mill,"  afterward  "Knoggs'  mill," 
around  wrhich  was  gathered  a  considerable  settlement. 
Another  mill  was  built  by  a  Mr.  Peltier  on  the  Savoyard, 
a  little  way  from  its  entrance  into  the  Detroit. 

Within  the  town  all  was  bustle  and  business ;  some  of 
the  French  traders  still  remained,  and  they  and  the  Brit 
ish  merchants  had  full  possession  until  1Y99.  Joseph 
Campau,  Kobert  Gonier,  George  Moniot,  Jean  Baptiste 
le  Duke,  Gabriel  Cote,  Jacques  Allaird,  Conrad  Ten 
Eyck,  Hugh  Martin,  and  Meldrum  and  Park,  comprised 
the  whole  list,  and  they  were  very  prosperous.  All 
kinds  of  merchandise  brought  good  prices  and  met  with 
ready  sales.  Coffee  sold  for  thirty-eight  cents  a  pound, 


3TO  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Business  within  the  City— Social  Life. 

tea  for  two  dollars ;  calico  was  seventy-five  cents  a  yard, 
and  all  articles  of  wearing  apparel  were  in  like  proportion. 

Colonel  Stephen  Mack  was  the  first  American  merchant 
in  Detroit.  He  came  in  1799,  and  with  true  Yankee  inde 
pendence  erected  a  shanty  in  the  very  heart  of  the  city, 
and  spread  out  his  goods  to  the  admiring  gaze  of  throng 
ing  customers.  He  had  a  large  supply  of  that  plaid 
cotton  fabric  called  "  apron  check,"  for  which  he  found 
ready  sale  at  the  moderate  price  of  one  dollar  a  yard. 
The  narrow  streets  and  alleys  of  the  city  were  constantly 
thronged  with  savages  hastening  to  the  trading-houses  to 
exchange  their  peltries  for  goods,  or  reeling  about  under 
the  influence  of  the  baneful  "  fire-water."  At  the  wharves 
vessels  were  busy  discharging  their  freights  of  merchan 
dise,  and  receiving  return- cargoes  of  furs  from  the  well- 
filled  storehouses.  The  prevailing  style  of  the  dwellings 
was  one-story  blockhouses  with  dormer  windows,  a  few 
of  which  were  covered  with  clapboards. 

In  social  life,  the  French  characteristics  predominated. 
During  the  summer  the  days  were  devoted  to  business, 
and  the  evenings  were  spent  by  the  older  portion  of 
the  inhabitants  in  social  visiting,  and  by  the  younger  in 
dancing,  promenading,  and  moonlight  sailing  on  the 
beautiful  Detroit.  Barbecues  were  occasionally  held  in 
a  grove  near  Baby's  mill,  almost  the  only  daytime  rec 
reation  during  the  business  season. 


EARLY   HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  371 

Detroit  in  Winter— Le  Grand  Marais. 

In  winter,  when  a  vast  sea  of  ice  separated  them  from 
their  eastern  neighbors,  and  their  Indian  allies  were  far 
in  the  depths  of  the  forest  engaged  in  the  chase,  the 
denizens  of  the  fort  and  of  the  crowded  town  gave  them 
selves  up  to  unrestrained  pleasure-seeking.  Three  or 
four  miles  above  the  city  was  a  large  marsh,  called  by 
the  French  Le  Grand  Marais.  It  extended  down  to 
the  river  brink ;  and  when  the  autumnal  rains  came  the 
entire  surface  was  submerged,  and  the  wintry  frosts  soon 
converted  it  into  a  miniature  sea  of  glass.  In  the  ab 
sence  of  sufficient  snow  for  sleighing,  the  Grand  Marais^ 
which  could  be  readily  gained  from  the  icy  margin  of 
the  river,  was  a  favorite  drive  for  the  citizens ;  and  late 
in  autumn  the  young  men  of  the  town  would  erect  on  its 
border  a  long  one-story  building,  with  stone  chimneys 
at  each  extremity,  and  furnished  with  rude  tables  and 
benches. 

Every  Saturday  morning  during  the  long,  cold  winter, 
carioles  filled  with  gay  young  men  and  laughing  girls 
might  be  seen  gliding  over  the  glassy  surface  of  the  ice 
bound  river,  or,  if  there  were  snow,  flying  along  the 
river  road,  where  now  extends  the  broad  and  beautiful 
Jefferson  Avenue,  each  finally  landing  its  freight  of  life 
and  beauty  at  the  Hotel  du  Grand  Marais.  The  box- 
seats  of  the  carioles  were  always  well  filled  with  myste 
rious  baskets  and  packages,  which  were  speedily  trans- 


372  EAKLY  HISTOEY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Pastimes — Improvidence — Life  at  the  Fort 

ferred  to  the  aforesaid  long  tables,  and  soon  the  rattling 
of  the  dinner-service  was  heard  in  the  lulls  of  the  gay 
chatter  of  the  French  girls ;  and  the  aroma  of  the  fragrant 
Mocha  escaped  into  the  frosty  air  in  delicate  smoke- 
wreaths, — an  incense  of  anticipation  to  the  coming  re 
past.  As  soon  as  the  dinner  was  over,  the  tables  and 
benches  were  removed,  and  dancing  commenced,  which 
continued  until  the  booming  of  the  evening  gun  at  the 
fort  warned  the  merry  party  that 

The  evening  shades  might  be  but  Vantage  ground 
For  some  fell  foe. 

The  next  day,  Sunday,  after  morning  mass,  the  gentle 
men  were  accustomed  to  repair  to  the  Grand  Marais 
and  spend  the  day  in  carousal,  and  feasting  on  the  re 
mains  of  yesterday's  store.  Sleigh-riding  on  the  ice,  and 
balls  and  parties  in  town,  filled  up  the  week's  interim. 
The  summer's  earnings  scarce  sufficed  for  the  winter's 
waste. 

At  the  fort  all  went  on  prosperously :  the  troops  had 
no  other  service  than  the  usual  military  routine  in  time 
of  peace,  except,  perhaps,  the  occasional  punishment  of 
»ome  stray  band  of  marauding  savages.  A  gay,  indolent 
life  they  were  leading,  very  unlike  that  of  their  French 
predecessors  a  century  before. 

Meanwhile,  the  civil  government  was  preparing  to 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  373 

Michigan  Territory  organized— Detroit  burned. 

supplant  the  martial  law,  by  which  Detroit  from  its  first 
settlement  had  been  principally  controlled. 

On  the  llth  of  January,  1805,  that  part  of  the  North 
west  territory  lying  between  Lake  Michigan  on  the 
west,  and  Lakes  Huron,  St.  Clair,  and  Erie,  and  their 
connecting  straits  on  the  east,  was  organized  into  a  sepa 
rate  territory  by  an  act  of  Congress.  William  Hull  was 
appointed  governor,  and  Augustus  B.  Woodward,  Fred 
erick  Bates,  and  John  Griffin,  judges.  The  winter 
passed,  spring  came  and  departed,  and  still  the  expected 
governor  and  his  associates  had  not  arrived. 

On  the  llth  of  June,  1805,  just  five  months  after  Gov 
ernor  Hull's  appointment,  a  fire  broke  out  at  mid-day  in 
the  midst  of  the  crowded  town  of  Detroit,  and  when 
darkness  settled  down  upon  the  world,  the  whole  town 
was  one  vast  scene  of  smouldering  ruins,  and  the  entire 
population  were  homeless.  Within  the  limits  of  the 
stockade,  one  small  French-built  dwelling-house,  on  St. 
Anne-street,  and  a  large  brick  storehouse  almost  in  range 
standing  below,  near  the  river,  were  all  that  remained  of 
the  city.  During  the  conflagration,  the  utmost  panic 
and  confusion  prevailed.  The  flames  raged  with  such 
fury  as  to  defy  all  control.  There  was  no  place  of  safety 
within  the  city.  Furniture,  once  removed,  was  soon  de 
stroyed  by  the  advancing  fire,  aud,  as  a  last  resort,  ta 
bles,  chairs,  bedsteads,  and  such  other  articles  as  would 


374:  EAKLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Arrival  of  the  Government  Officers — Oath  of  Office. 

not  be  thus  injured,  were  sunk  in  the  river,  as  the  only 
means  of  saving  them  from  the  flames.  Every  skiff  and 
canoe  was  employed  in  conveying  clothing  and  other 
easily  removed  valuables  across  the  river.  Two  larger 
vessels  were  in  port,  but  they  were  obliged  to  drop  down 
the  river  for  their  own  safety. 

The  day  after  the  destruction  of  Detroit,  the  governor 
and  other  territorial  officers  arrived.  A  sad  spectacle 
presented  itself  to  the  astonished  gaze  of  these  newly- 
appointed  dignitaries.  Instead  of  a  flourishing  town, 
growing  rich  by  a  lucrative  traffic  with  the  Indians,  they 
found  only  a  wide-spread  waste  of  still  smoking  ruins. 
The  inhabitants,  suddenly  impoverished  and  greatly  dis 
heartened,  were  gathered  on  the  common  within  range 
of  the  guns  of  the  fort,  with  no  other  abiding- place  than 
cloth  tents,  or  rude  huts  erected  from  such  materials  as 
they  could  obtain.  The  little  children,  and  the  sick  and 
aged,  had  found  refuge  among  the  hospitable  farmers  on 
both  sides  of  the  river.  The  fort  afforded  an  asylum  for 
the  governor  and  his  suit. 

On  the  second  Tuesday  of  July,  1805,  the  oath  of 
office  was  administered  to  the  several  territorial  officers, 
and  Michigan  commenced  its  governmental  existence. 
Again  inspired  with  hope,  the  inhabitants  of  Detroit  gath 
ered  together  their  remaining  means,  and  began  to  build 
for  themselves  new  homes.  The  first  house  in  the  new 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  375 

Act  of  Congress  concerning  the  new  Town. 

town  was  erected  by  Peter  Audrain,  secretary  of  the  ter 
ritory.  Numerous  other  dwellings  were  soon  built,  and 
the  town  began  to  assume  a  less  desolate  appearance. 
Yet  there  was  much  suffering  among  those  of  the  inhab 
itants  whose  whole  available  property  had  been  de 
stroyed. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1805,  an  official  statement  of 
the  destruction  of  the  city,  and  the  consequent  deplora 
ble  condition  of  the  inhabitants,  was  made  to  the  Secre 
tary  of  State,  by  Governor  Hull  and  his  associates.  At 
the  next  session  of  Congress,  the  following  act  was  passed 
for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers,  and  to  encourage  an  in 
creased  immigration : 

"  Be  it  enacted,  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  of  the  United  States  of  America,  in  Congress 
assembled:  That  the  governor  and  judges  of  the  terri 
tory  of  Michigan  shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby  author 
ized  to  lay  out  a  town,  including  the  whole  of  the  old 
town  of  Detroit  and  ten  thousand  acres  adjacent,  ex 
cepting  such  parts  as  the  President  of  the  United  States 
shall  direct  to  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  military  de 
partment,  and  shall  hear,  examine,  and  finally  adjust  all 
claims  to  lots  therein,  and  give  deeds  for  the  same.  And 
to  every  person,  or  the  legal  representative  of  every  per 
son,  who,  not  owing  or  professing  allegiance  to  any  for 
eign  power,  and  being  above  the  age  of  seventeen  years, 


376  EARLY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN. 

Donations  of  Land  to  the  Sufferers. 

did,  on  the  eleventh  day  of  June,  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  five,  when  the  old  town  of  Detroit  was 
burnt,  own  or  inhabit  a  house  in  the  same,  there  shall 
be  granted  by  the  governor  and  the  judges  aforesaid,  or 
any  three  of  them,  and  where  they  shall  judge  most 
proper,  a  lot  not  exceeding  the  quantity  of  five  thousand 
square  feet. 

"  §2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  the  land  remain 
ing  of  the  said  ten  thousand  acres,  after  satisfying  claims 
provided  for  by  the  preceding  section,  shall  be  disposed 
of  by  the  governor  and  judges  aforesaid,  at  their  discre 
tion,  to  the  best  advantage,  who  are  hereby  authorized 
to  make  deeds  to  purchasers  thereof,  and  the  proceeds  of 
the  lands  so  disposed  of,  shall  be  applied,  by  the  gov 
ernor  and  judges  aforesaid,  toward  building  a  courthouse 
and  jail  in  the  town  of  Detroit ;  and  the  said  governor 
and  judges  are  required  to  make  report  to  Congress,  in 
writing,  of  their  proceedings  under  this  act." 

The  "  Journal  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Board  of  Gov 
ernor  and  Judges  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,"  contains 
the  following  record : 

"  Pursuant  to  the  above  act  of  Congress,  the  governor 
and  judges  of  the  territory  of  Michigan  convened  at  the 
house  of  Governor  Hull,  on  Saturday,  September  sixth, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  six.  Present,  William 
Hull,  Governor;  Augustus  B.  "Woodward,  Chief  Judge, 


EAKLT  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  377 

•Legislative  Board  organized — Officers — Judge  Woodward. 

and  Frederick  Bates,  Senior  Associate  Judge.  Peter 
Audrain  was  continued  legislative  secretary,  and  Asa 
Jones  was  appointed  sergeant-at-arms,  with  a  compensa 
tion  of  twenty-five  dollars  a  month.  After  the  business 
of  organizing  had  been  dispatched,  the  act  of  Congress 
was  read,  and  referred  to  Judge  "Woodward  as  commit 
tee,  with  instructions  to  report  from  time  to  time,  by  bill 
or  otherwise." 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Judge  Woodward's  plan  for  the  new  city  of  Detroit — Survey  of  the  city 
— Apportionment  of  lots — Incorporation  of  the  Bank  of  Detroit — First 
code  of  laws  published  called  the  ' '  Woodward  Code' ' — Bank  charter 
revoked  in  1809 — Land  granted  for  St.  Anne's  church,  Eoman  Catho 
lic — Building  lots  granted  for  boys'  and  girls'  schools — Eesolution  to 
grant  building  lots  to  foreigners — Peter  Desnoyers — Building  lot 
granted  for  a  Protestant  church — Tecumseh  plans  the  destruction  of 
Detroit — Disaffection  of  the  Shawanese  and  Wyandots  induces  the  in 
habitants  to  build  a  stockade  around  the  new  city — Governor  Hull 
effects  a  treaty  with  the  Indian  tribes  in  1807 — Facetious  resolution 
of  Judge  Woodward — Resolution  concerning  American  manufactures — 
Answer  to  an  official  communication  from  Governor  De  Witt  Clinton, 
and  others,  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

THE  following  is  a  copy  of  a  bill  presented  by  Judge 
Woodward,  at  the  very  next  session  of  the  Board,  held 
September  8th,  1806 : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  immediately  to  lay  out 
and  survey  a  town  under  the  said  act  of  Congress,  and 
to  adjust  the  titles  and  claims  to  lands  and  lots  therein. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  basis  of  the  said  town  be  an  equi 
lateral  triangle,  having  each  side  of  the  length  of  four 
thousand  feet,  and  having  every  angle  bisected  by  a 
perpendicular  line  upon  the  opposite  side,  such  parts  be 
ing  excepted  as,  from  the  approximation  of  the  river  or 
other  unavoidable  circumstances,  may  require  partial 
deviations. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  379 

Apportionment  of  City  Lots  to  Claimants. 

u  Resolved,  That  it  will  be  expedient  to  allow  and  con 
vey  to  individuals  having  legal  claims,  the  lots  within 
their  respective  limits,  reserving  so  much  as  may  be 
necessary  for  public  squares  or  spaces,  avenues,  streets, 
and  lanes,  the  increased  value  of  the  property  as  lots  be 
ing  considered  as  more  than  an  equivalent  for  the  same, 
excepting  in  some  particular  cases,  where  the  proprietor, 
having  but  a  small  quantity,  the  whole  or  the  greater 
part  may  be  taken  up,  in  which  case  special  indemnifi 
cation  will  be  necessary;  and  reserving  also  to  those 
having  legal  rights,  and  who  may  not  think  the  benefit 
greater  than  the  damage,  the  right  of  having  their 
damage  ascertained  according  to  law. 

"Resolved,  That  it  will  be  expedient,  in  adjusting  the 
titles  and  claims,  to  allow  to  every  person  the  quantity 
to  which  he  may  have  a  good  title ;  and  when  a  person 
has  been  in  possession  of  a  farm  without  a  good  title,  to 
allow  him  the  quantity  he  was  in  possession  of  in  front, 
by  nine  thousand  feet  in  rear,  provided  that  encroach 
ment  on  public  land,  unusual  and  unjustifiable  under  the 
circumstances  of  the  country,  be  not  comprehended 
therein. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  will  be  expedient  to  make  deeds 
immediately  to  proprietors  and  purchasers,  securing  all 
sums  due  to  the  public  by  mortgages  and  bonds. 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  requested  of  Mr.  Joseph  Wat- 


380  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Act  of  Incorporation— Plan  of  the  new  City. 

son  to  prepare  the  deeds,  mortgages,  and  bonds  which 
may  be  necessary,  at  the  following  charges,  to  be  paid 
by  the  party  receiving  the  title :  that  is  to  say,  for  a 
deed,  one  dollar ;  for  a  mortgage,  one  dollar ;  for  a  bond 
or  other  writing,  twenty-five  cents. 

"JResolwed,  That  the  committee  on  this  subject  be  in 
structed  to  report  a  bill  or  bills  to  carry  into  execution 
the  preceding  resolutions,  and  that  the  committee  be 
farther  instructed  to  collect  a  list  of  all  claims,  and  from 
time  to  time  report  an  opinion  on  the  respective  claims. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  will  be  expedient  immediately  to 
incorporate  the  said  town  of  Detroit  into  a  city,  and  to 
provide  by  law  for  the  government  of  the  same." 

On  the  13th  of  September,  1806,  we  find  the  following 
record :  "  The  engrossed  bill  relative  to  the  city  of  De 
troit  was  read  a  third  time,  and  thereupon 

"Resolved,  unanimously,  that  the  said  bill  do  pass  to 
be  a  law,  and  that  the  title  of  the  said  law  be,  c  An  Act 
concerning  the  City  of  Detroit.'  " 

The  plan  of  the  new  town  of  Detroit,  said  to  be  similar 
to  that  of  Byzantium,  was  on  a  magnificent  scale,  and,  if 
fully  carried  out,  would  have  far  surpassed  the  present 
city.  Jefferson  and  Woodward  Avenues,  and  some  of 
the  streets  near  the  river,  were  immediately  surveyed, 
and  the  adjudication  of  claims  went  on  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  Early  in  1807  the  whole  survey  was  com- 


EAELY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  381 

Bank  of  Detroit—"  Woodward  Code  of  Laws." 

pleted.  The  triangle  around  the  fort  was  the  military 
reservation,  and  was  not  divided  into  lots  until  about  1826. 

The  great  scarcity  of  money  in  the  territory,  and  the 
difficulties  arising  from  using  only  specie  as  the  commer 
cial  medium,  had  long  been  felt  by  the  merchants,  and 
on  the  very  day  of  the  organization  of  the  "  Board  of 
Governor  and  Judges,,"  a  petition  was  presented  by  Kus- 
sel  Sturges,  Henry  Bass,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Wheeler,  Samuel 
Coverly,  Nathaniel  Parker,  and  Bazillary  Homes,  and 
their  associates,  stating  that  they  were  merchants  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  and  interested  in  the  peltry  trade  in 
Michigan,  and  that  they  had  experienced  great  hazards 
and  inconveniences  in  the  transmission  of  specie  to  so 
great  a  distance,  and  praying,  for  that  and  other  reasons, 
for  the  passage  of  an  "  act  of  incorporation  for  a  bank  at 
Detroit."  The  subject  was  referred  to  Governor  Hull, 
as  committee.  On  Monday,  September  15th,  1806,  a 
bill  was  passed  incorporating  the  first  "  Bank  of  Detroit." 

During  the  winter  of  1805-6,  the  Legislative  Board 
had  been  busy  in  establishing  a  more  efficient  judiciary 
system  ;  and  in  May,  1806,  the  first  code  of  laws  for  the 
territory  of  Michigan  was  adopted  and  published.  They 
were  drafted  by  Judge  Woodward,  and  were  called  the 
"Woodward  Code."  These  laws,  with  the  Act  of  incor 
poration  and  plan  of  the  city  of  Detroit,  and  the  "  Act 
incorporating  the  Bank  of  Detroit,"  were  approved  by 


382  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN-. 

St  Anne's  Cathedral— Rev.  Gabriel  Richard. 

Congress  at  its  next  session,  early  in  1807.  The  exist 
ence  of  the  Bank  of  Detroit  was  very  brief;  its  bills  were 
in  circulation  until  1809,  when  the  charter  was  revoked 
by  Congress.  The  bank  was  built  on  the  northwest  cor 
ner  of  Jefferson  Avenue  and  Randolph-street,  and  two 
lots  were  sold  to  the  directors  for  three  hundred  and 
ninety-five  dollars  and  seventy-five  ^cents. 

The  Franciscans  had  sustained  a  mission  at  Detroit 
from  the  period  of  its  settlement  in  1701,  and  at  the  time 
of  the  fire  in  1805,  St.  Anne's  church  was  the  only  house 
of  worship  in  the  town.  In  consequence  of  the  widening 
of  the  street,  in  the  new  plan  of  the  city,  the  old  church 
site  was  found  to  be  nearly  in  the  center  of  Jefferson  Ave 
nue.  It  therefore  became  necessary  to  obtain  a  new  loca 
tion.  Accordingly,  on  the  4th  day  of  October,  1806,  the 
governor  and  judges  granted  a  petition  to  that  effect, 
made  by  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard,  Vicar-general  of  the  or 
der  of  Sulpitians,  by  the  following  enactment : 

"Itesolved,  That  the  Roman  Catholic  church  be  built 
in  the  center  of  the  little  military  square,  on  section  ETo. 
1,  on  the  ground  adjacent  to  the  burying-ground ;  the 
said  lot  fronting  on  East  and  West  Avenue,*  two  hun 
dred  feet  wide,  and  running  back  two  hundred  feet  deep, 
and  bounded  on  the  three  sides  by  three  other  streets." 

0  Michigan  Avenue. 


EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  383 

Catholic  School;,— Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants. 

The  previous  day  a  petition  from  Angelique  Campeau 
and  Elizabeth  Williams  (nuns),  asking  for  the  donation 
of  a  lot  on  which  to  erect  an  academy  for  young  ladies, 
was  received,  and  referred  to  the  standing  committee. 
A  petition  was  also  presented  by  Rev.  Gabriel  Richard, 
asking  for  a  lot  for  an  academy  for  boys.  Subsequently, 
a  lot  was  donated  for  the  nuns'  school,  on  what  is  now 
the  comer  of  Randolph  and  Congress  streets,  and  one  for 
the  boys'  academy  on  Bates-street,  opposite  the  site  for 
St.  Anne's  cathedral. 

The  "  governor  and  judges"  found  great  difficulty  in 
adjusting  the  claims  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  old  town  of 
Detroit,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties ;  and,  finally,  a 
meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called  on  the  14th  of  Octo 
ber,  1806,  to  devise  some  means  by  which  this  object 
could  be  accomplished.  The  following  plan  for  adjust 
ing  the  donation  claims  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  old  town 
of  Detroit  was  finally  agreed  upon,  and  a  committee  ap 
pointed  to  present  it  to  the  Board,  by  whom  it  was 
adopted : 

"  The  committee  chosen  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  late 
town  of  Detroit,  on  Saturday,  the  llth  inst,  recommend 
to  the  honorable  Legislative  Board  the  following  plan 
for  adjusting  their  donation  claims  in  the  first  class : 

"  All  those  belonging  to  the  first  class  who  have  im 
proved  the  lots  now  in  their  possession,  we  conceive 


384  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Resolutions  concerning  "  Donation  lots." 

ought  to  retain  them  for  their  donation,  or  in  exchange 
for  an  equal  quantity  of  ground  in  the  old  town,  paying 
for  the  surplus  feet,  agreeable  to  the  conditions  of  sale : 
to  wit,  two  cents  for  each  square  foot.  All  lots  that  the 
Legislative  Board  have  disposed  of  since  the  Act  of  Con 
gress,  or  that  remain  unsold,  together  with  those  that  are 
improved,  ought  to  be  numbered  and  balloted  for  by  the 
claimants  of  the  first  class  who  are  not  satisfied.  All 
those  persons  who  have  built  dwelling-houses  on  lots 
considered  to  be  in  the  first  class,  and  who  are  claim 
ants  in  the  second  class,  shall  retain  said  lots  by  paying 
to  the  person  in  the  first  class  who  draws  the  lot,  two 
cents  for  each  square  foot,  in  the  course  of  twelve 
months.  Those  who  are  not  claimants,  having  built  a 
dwelling-house  on  a  lot  in  the  first  class,  ought  to  pay  to 
the  person  drawing  said  lot,  the  same  price  that  the 
Legislative  Board  were  to  receive.  It  is  understood  by 
the  committee,  that  the  lots  for  the  first  class  should  be 
those  fronting  on  the  Courthouse  Avenue  from  the  river, 
to  the  corner  lots  on  the  north  side  of  Main-street,  inclu 
sive,  and  those  on  the  street  commonly  called  Main- 
street. 

"  The  claimants  in  the  second  class  ought  to  have  the 
next  choice  of  the  best  lots  remaining  after  the  first  class 
is  satisfied,  and  to  have  their  claims  adjusted  on  the  same 
Bystem  with  the  first  class. 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  385 

Liberal  construction  of  "Act  of  Congress." 

"The  claimants  in  the  third  class  should  have  the 
next  choice  of  the  best  lots  remaining  after  the  second 
class  are  satisfied,  and  the  system  taken  to  adjust  their 
claims  to  be  the  same  as  recommended  for  the  first 
class." 

Then  came  petitions  for  "  donation  lots,"  from  married 
women,  minors,  and  persons  residing  outside  of  the  pali 
sades  at  the  time  of  the  fire,  but  now,  by  the  new  city 
survey,  brought  within  the  corporation,  the  result  of 
which  was  the  passage  of  the  following  resolution  by  the 
"Board:" 

"  Tuesday,  November  11  th,  1806. — On  motion  of  Judge 
Woodward :  Resolved,  That  the  governor  and  judges 
will  so  construe  the  Act  of  Congress,  that  wives,  and 
those  who  resided  out  of  the  old  town,  but  within  the 
corporation,  shall  be  considered  donees,  and  that  the 
donations  of  married  women,  and  persons  residing  out 
of  the  town,  but  within  the  corporation,  shall,  in  all 
cases,  be  to  the  northward  and  westward  of  the  Catholic 
Church  Square,  and  not  on  the  Avenue  leading  from  the 
Catholic  Church  Square  to  the  Statehouse  Circus." 

Notwithstanding  this  liberality,  there  still  remained 
one  class  of  sufferers  unprovided  for— the  foreign  resi 
dents,  principally  French,  who  had  not  sworn  allegiance 
to  the  United  States.  In  many  instances  they  were 

among  the  most  prominent  citizens,  and  strong  adherents 

25 


386  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Foreign  residents — Peter  Desnoyers. 

to  the  American  interests.  To  meet  their  necessities,  we 
find  the  following  record  on  the  journal  of  the  governor 
and  judges : 

"  Thursday,  January  22<#,  180T. — On  motion  of  the 
governor :  Resolved,  That  any  person  or  persons  bom  in 
a  foreign  country,  but  having  resided  in  this  country 
since  the  independence  of  the  United  States,  over  the 
age  of  seventeen  years,  and  having  owned  or  inhabited 
houses  at  the  time  of  the  conflagration  of  the  town  of 
Detroit,  and  who  produce  no  other  evidence  of  their  not 
owing  or  professing  allegiance  to  any  foreign  power  than 
their  residence  here,  and  their  being  subjected  to  the 
laws  of  the  country,  may,  if  they  think  proper,  be  heard 
before  the  Board  on  the  question  of  their  right  to  a  dona 
tion  lot  under  the  Act  of  Congress." 

In  compliance  with  the  above  resolution,  Peter  Des 
noyers  appeared  before  the  Board,  and  made  the  follow 
ing  statement : 

"  Peter  Desnoyers,  a  native  of  France,  of  the  age  of 
thirty-four  years,  arrived  at  Detroit  on  the  seventeenth 
day  of  August,  1796,  in  the  quality  of  armorer,  in  the 
service  of  the  public.  He  came  from  Paris  to  America 
in  the  year  1790,  lived  at  Gallipolis  several  years,  and 
afterward  at  Pittsburg,  from  which  place  he  came  to 
Detroit,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He  has  never 
professed  allegiance  to  the  government  of  France,  or  to 


EAELY  HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  387 

First  Protestant  Church— Tecumseh  and  Ellshwatawa. 

any  other  foreign  government,  since  his  landing  in  the 
United  States." 

Henry  Berthlet,  John  Gentle,  George  Smart,  William 
McDowell  Scott,  and  others,  also  obtained  a  hearing  be 
fore  the  Board,  and,  after  due  consideration,  donation 
lots  were  granted  to  the  several  applicants. 

On  Monday,  April  27th,  1807,  "  a  petition  for  a  lot  on 
which  to  build  a  Protestant  church,"  was  presented  to 
the  Board,  and  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Larned-street  and 
"Woodward  Avenue  was  granted,  and  a  house  of  worship 
erected,  known  as  the  First  Presbyterian  church.  Rev. 
John  Monteith  was  the  first  Protestant  clergyman  em 
ployed  by  the  citizens  of  Detroit,  and  through  his  instru 
mentality  a  Protestant  church  was  organized,  embracing 
all  the  different  denominations  then  represented  in  the 
city.  E"o  distinctive  creed  was  adopted,  but  the  form  of 
organization  was  Presbyterian. 

In  1806,  the  celebrated  chief  Tecumseh,  and  his 
brother  Ellshwatawa,  or  the  prophet,  belonging  to  the 
Shawanese  tribe,  devised  a  plan,  quite  similar  to  the 
famous  project  of  Pontiac,  to  effect  the  destruction  of 
Detroit  and  the  other  American  settlements  in  the  terri 
tory.  They  were  probably  encouraged  in  this  by  the 
British,  whose  allies  they  were.  The  disaffection  soon 
manifested  by  the  "Wyandots  and  other  Indians  in  the 
vicinity  of  Detroit,  caused  the  governor,  early  in  1807, 


388  EARLY   HISTORY    OF   MICHIGAN. 

Stockade  built  around  the  new  Town. 

to  order  the  inclosure  of  the  inhabited  part  of  the  new 
town  in  a  strong  stockade.  The  eastern  boundary  of  this 
stockade  was  along  the  eastern  line  of  the  "  Brush  farm," 
about  where  Brush-street  now  runs.  There  was  a  gate 
on  Atwater-street,  near  the  present  Pontiac  depot,  and 
a  blockhouse  on  Jefferson  Avenue,  a  few  rods  east  of  the 
present  site  of  the  Biddle  House.  The  western  line  of 
the  stockade  ran  along  the  eastern  line  of  the  Cass  farm, 
then  known  as  the  Macomb  farm,  and  the  western  gate 
was  on  Jefferson  Avenue,  about  one  hundred  feet  below 
Cass-street.  The  northern  line  ran  about  in  range  with 
the  fort.  During  the  year  1807,  General  Hull  effected 
a  treaty  with  the  Ottawa,  Chippewa,  Pottawatomie,  and 
Wyandot  tribes,  yet  the  threatening  movements  of  the 
Shawanese,  and  the  little  reliance  that  could  be  placed 
on  Indian  fidelity,  had  its  influence  in  retarding  the  very 
rapid  growth  of  Detroit.  Still  there  was  a  constant 
progress.  Many  of  those  who  have  since  given  character 
and  influence  to  this  chief  city  of  a  prosperous  State, 
were  young,  enterprising  immigrants  to  Detroit,  between 
1807  and  1812. 

"  The  Board  of  Governor  and  Judges"  were  busy  ad 
justing  land  claims,  and  devising  and  perfecting  such 
plans  for  the  future  prosperity  of  the  city  as  came  within 
their  province.  Their  "Journal"  contains  no  record  of 
particular  interest  to  the  general  reader,  except  the  fol- 


EARLY  HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN.  389 

Judge  "Woodward's  "  Eesolution" — Indian  disaffection. 

lowing  extracts.  On  Friday,  Oct.  14th,  1810,  the  fa 
cetious  Judge  Woodward  offered  the  following  reso 
lution  : 

u  Resdl/oed)  That  the  president  of  the  governor  and 
judges,  sitting  under  the  '  Act  of  Congress  concerning 
the  town  of  Detroit,'  and  under  the  ordinance,  be  re 
spectfully  requested  to  accommodate  the  said  governor 
and  judges  with  fire  during  their  sitting;  the  expense 
accruing  thereby  to  be  defrayed,  one  moiety  from  the 
territorial  funds,  and  the  other  in  the  same  manner  as 
other  expenses  attending  the  execution  of  the  said  'Act 
of  Congress,'  or  in  such  other  equitable  proportion  as  the 
said  president,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  arithmetical 
rules  of  proportion,  vulgar  and  decimal  fractions,  and  the 
algebraic  rules  of  equation,  shall  ascertain  to  be  reason 
able  and  conscientious." 

The  resolution  did  not  pass,  but  we  presume  a  fire  was 
speedily  provided. 

The  growing  disaffection  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  its  evident  effect  upon  the  Indians, 
and  the  probable  result,  were  subjects  of  much  interest 
to  Detroit.  Fully  sympathizing  with  the  general  govern 
ment,  and  imbued  with  the  American  spirit  of  resistance 
and  independence,  on  Saturday,  January  19th,  1811, 
Judge  Woodward,  clothed  completely  in  American 
manufactures,  moved  the  following  resolution : 


390  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Legislative  action  concerning  American  manufactures. 

"  Whereas,  the  encouragement  of  American  manufac 
tures  is  a  duty  imposed  on  all  good  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  by  the  dictates  of  benevolence  as  well  as  by  the 
injunctions  of  patriotism  ;  and  whereas  the  consumption 
of  domestic  manufactures  is,  at  the  same  time,  the  most 
simple  and  the  most  efficacious  encouragement  of  them ; 
and  whereas  it  is  at  all  times  becoming  that  those  who 
receive  both  honors  and  emoluments  from  the  execution 
of  public  trusts  should  exhibit  themselves  the  foremost  in 
examples  of  utility ;  therefore, 

"  JResolved,  That  it  be  respectfully  and  earnestly  recom 
mended  by  the  legislative  authority  of  the  territory  of 
Michigan,  to  all  the  officers  of  this  government,  to  ap 
pear  clothed  in  articles  the  manufacture  of  the  continent 
of  North  America,  at  all  times,  when  engaged  in  the 
execution  of  any  public  duty,  power,  or  trust,  from  and 
after  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1813." 

This  resolution  "  was  passed  unanimously,  and  a  copy 
thereof  was  signed  by  the  members  and  attested  by  the 
secretary,  in  order  to  be  deposited  in  the  office  of  the 
secretary  of  the  territory ;  and  the  secretary  was  ordered 
to  take  such  measures  for  'the  further  publication  and 
communication  of  the  same,  as  he  might  judge  expe 
dient."  In  accordance  with  the  above  direction,  James 
Watson,  Secretary  of  the  Board,  wrote  the  following  let 
ter  to  an  editor  in  Pittsburg,  Penn. : 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  391 


Legislative  correspondence — Internal  navigation  of  New  York. 


li  DETROIT,  MICH.,  January  29th,  1811. 

"  E.  PENTLANE,  Esq., 

"  Editor  of  the  Commonwealth : 

«SiR — In  obedience  to  directions  received  from  the 
legislative  authority  of  the  territory  of  Michigan,  I  hereby 
take  the  liberty  of  requesting  that  you  will  insert  the  an 
nexed  resolution,  at  an  early  period,  in  your  paper ;  and 
have  the  honor  to  be 

"Your  fellow-citizen,  and 

"V.  0.  H.  S., 

"JAMES  WATSON." 

"Thursday^  January  9^A,  1812.— The  committee,  to 
whom  was  referred  the  communication  from  the  com 
missioners  of  internal  navigation  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  made  the  following  report,  which  was  unanimous 
ly  adopted : 

"Whereas,  the  commissioners  of  internal  navigation 
in  the  State  of  New  York  have  addressed  to  the  gov 
ernor  and  judges  of  the  territory  of  Michigan  certain 
communications  relating  to  a  canal  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  which  have  been  duly  considered  ;  therefore, 

"fiesolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  undersigned, 
the  canal  contemplated  by  the  commissioners,  from 
Black  Eock  to  Kome,  would  not  be  so  desirable  as  a 
canal  around  the  cataract  of  Niagara,  and  another  by 
the  Falls  of  Oswego." 


392  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Letter  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

On  Tuesday,  January  14th,  1812,  a  letter  inclosing 
the  above  resolution,  was  signed  by  the  governor  and 
judges  of  Michigan,  addressed  to  Govemeur  Morris,  De 
"Witt  Clinton,  Simeon  Dewitt,  William  North,  Thomas 
Eddy,  Eobert  R.  Livingston,  and  Robert  Fulton,  Esqrs., 
commissioners  of  internal  improvement  in  the  State  of 
New  York. 


? 

Bt 


One  of  ie  first   Judges 


CHAPTEK  XXII. 

Renewed  disaffection  of  the  Indians — Resolution  to  increase  the  mili 
tary  force — William  Hull  appointed  cornmander-m-chief  of  the  military 
force  of  the  northwest — Army  of  twelve  hundred  raised  in  Ohio — Gen. 
Hull  proceeds  to  Detroit — Vessels  containing  valuables  captured  by 
the  British — Orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War — Army  cross  the  river 
to  Sandwich — Col.  Cass  takes  Canard  Bridge — Gen.  Hull  returns  to 
Detroit  without  attacking  Maiden — Surrenders  Detroit  to  the  British 
— Facts  concerning  the  surrender  obtained  from  an  eye-witness — Col. 
Lewis  Cass  appointed  governor. 

DURING  the  year  1811,  the  Indians,  probably  instigated 
by  the  British,  had  occasioned  some  trouble  to  the  in 
habitants  of  Michigan,  and  no  sooner  had  winter  set  in, 
separating  this  thinly-populated  region  from  eastern  aid, 
than  their  savage  neighbors  showed  symptoms  of  in 
creasing  disaffection.  This  state  of  affairs  caused  the 
Legislative  Board  to  pass  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  subsequently  carried  into  effect : 

"  Whereas,  the  turbulent  disposition  manifested  by  the 
savage  tribes  in  the  vicinity  of  this  territory,  menaces  it 
with  danger : 

"Resolved,  That  if,  in  the  opinion  of  the  governor  of 
this  territory  for  the  time  being,  it  shall  be  deemed 
necessary  to  call  any  part  of  the  militia  of  this  territory 
into  actual  service,  should  not  the  general  government 


394:  EAELY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

War  with  Great  Britain  declared— Northwestern  Army. 

provide  for  their  pay  and  subsistence,  this  government 
will  do  it,  provided  that,  previous  to  incurring  such  ex 
pense,  an  estimate  thereof,  and  the  number  proposed  to 
be  called  into  service,  be  laid  before  the  governor  and 
judges  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  acting  in  their  legis 
lative  department." 

"War  was  declared  by  Congress  against  Great  Britain 
on  the  18th  of  June,  1812,  but  by  a  most  culpable  neg 
lect  on  the  part  of  the  War  Department,  the  north 
western  frontier  was  not  apprised  of  it  until  the  enemy 
was  upon  them.  Indeed,  the  first  intimation  of  the  decla 
ration  of  war,  received  by  Lieut.  Hancks,  commandant  at 
Michilimackinac,  was  a  demand  from  the  enemy  to  sur 
render  the  fort,  which  occurred  on  the  17th  of  July. 

Previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  and  in  anticipation 
of  such  an  event,  General  "William  Hull,  governor  of 
Michigan,  was  appointed  commander-in-chief  of  all  the 
forces  of  the  northwest.  An  army  of  twelve  hundred 
men,  drafted  from  Ohio  by  the  President,  and  consider 
ably  augmented  by  volunteers,  was  collected  at  Dayton, 
Ohio.  This  force  was  divided  into  three  regiments, 
which  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Colonels 
Me  Arthur,  Cass,  and  Finelly.  A  fourth  regiment  of  in 
fantry,  numbering  about  three  hundred  men,  under  Colo 
nel  Miller,  completed  the  Ohio  army.  General  Hull 
was  commanded  to  proceed  to  Detroit,  and  there  await 


EAELY  HISTOKY   OF  MICHIGAN.  395 

American  vessel  captured— Orders  to  General  Hull. 

farther  orders.  The  army  left  Dayton  about  the  middle 
of  June.  They  were  obliged  to  cut  their  way  through  a 
trackless  forest,  and,  after  enduring  many  hardships,  ar 
rived  at  Detroit  on  the  5th  of  July. 

A  vessel  which  had  been  hired  to  convey  to  Detroit  a 
few  sick  soldiers,  hospital  stores,  General  Hull's  baggage, 
and  many  valuable  documents,  took  the  usual  course  up 
the  river,  by  the  Maiden  channel.  On  arriving  opposite 
Maiden,  the  vessel  was  captured  by  the  British,  the 
astonished  cr-ew  being  informed  by  the  boarding  officer 
that  war  was  actually  declared. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  General  Hull  received  the  follow 
ing  orders  from  Mr.  Eustice,  Secretary  of  "War :  "  Should 
the  force  under  your  command  be  equal  to  the  enter 
prise,  and  should  it  be  consistent  with  the  safety  of  your 
own  posts,  you  will  take  possession  of  Maiden,  and  ex 
tend  your  conquests  as  circumstances  will  allow."  The 
army,  whose  numbers  were  increased  by  the  Michigan 
militia,  manifested  great  anxiety  to  engage  in  this  under 
taking,  and  urged  upon  their  commander  its  immediate 
prosecution.  Maiden  was  the  key  to  that  portion  of  the 
British  provinces,  and  its  possession  was  of  great  im 
portance  to  the  Americans.  The  garrison  was  weak,  and 
seemed  an  easy  conquest. 

Having  made  arrangements  for  the  expedition,  General 
Hull  crossed  the  Detroit  river  on  the  12th  day  of  July, 


396  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Expedition  against  Maiden— Canard  Bridge. 

and  encamped  at  Sandwich.  Here  he  issued  a  procla 
mation  to  the  inhabitants,  urging  them  to  enroll  them 
selves  under  the  American  banner.  "  Had  I  any  doubt 
of  ultimate  success,"  says  this  proclamation,  "  I  should 
ask  your  assistance ;  but  I  come  prepared  for  every 
emergency.  I  have  a  force  which  will  break  down  all 
opposition,  and  that  force  is  but  the  vanguard  of  a  much 
greater." 

Day  after  day  passed,  and  the  army  still  remained  en 
camped  at  Sandwich.  "Weary  of  the  monotony  of  the 
camp,  Colonel  Cass,  with  a  detachment  of  about  two 
hundred  and  eighty  men,  left  the  camp  to  reconnoiter 
the  ground  toward  Maiden.  He  found  a  picket  of  the 
British  army  stationed  at  Canard  Bridge.  A  skirmish 
ensued;  the  enemy  were  routed,  with  the  loss  of  ten 
men,  and  the  Americans  took  possession  of  the  bridge. 
It  was  only  four  miles  from  Maiden,  and  Colonel  Cass, 
deeming  it  an  important  post,  urged  General  Hull  to  re 
tain  it  as  a  good  position  for  a  future  attack.  His  sug 
gestion  was  disregarded.  After  remaining  nearly  a 
month  at  Sandwich  in  a  state  of  inactivity,  with  a  brave, 
vigorous  army  chafing  under  the  restraint,  General  Hull 
was  so  much  intimidated  by  the  hostile  manifestations 
of  the  Indians,  and  the  report  that  a  large  British  force 
would  soon  arrive  at  Maiden,  that  he  recrossed  the  river 
to  Detroit,  on  the  9th  of  August,  without  having  made  a 


EAKLY  HISTOKY   OF   MICHIGAN.  397 

General  Hull  returns  with  his  Army  to  Detroit 

single  attack  upon  Maiden.  Here  he  remained  until  the 
15th,  the  day  of  his  inglorious  surrender.  Every  cir 
cumstance  connected  with  this  most  unaccountable  and 
disgraceful  affair  is  too  well  known  to  need  repetition. 
The  course  pursued  by  General  Hull  seems  more  strange, 
from  the  fact  that,  in  the  army  of  Washington,  he  had 
distinguished  himself  by  his  bravery. 

The  facts  contained  in  the  following  account  of  the 
surrender,  were  given  me  by  Mrs.  M.  McCarty,  one  of 
the  daughters  of  Peter  Audrain,  first  secretary  of  the  ter 
ritory,  who  then  resided  at  Detroit.  It  presents  a  social 
and  domestic  picture  of  that  eventful  time.  I  have  pre 
served  the  narrative  form,  but  am  unable  to  give  the 
language  of  the  narrator. 

"  Detroit,  in  1812,  scarcely  deserved  the  name  of  town, 
for  it  was,  in  reality,  but  a  small  village.  The  old  town 
had  been  burned  to  the  ground,  and  the  inhabitants  were 
obliged  to  build  such  houses  as  their  means  would  allow, 
and  but  few  of  these  were  either  elegant  or  convenient. 
Atwater  was  then  the  principal  street,  and  the  dwellings 
there  were  quite  compact.  A  few  houses  were  scattered 
here  and  there  on  the  other  streets;  and  around  the 
whole  town — small,  compared  with  its  present  dimen 
sions — was  a  stockade  of  tall  pickets,  as  a  protection 
from  the  Indians.  Between  the  town  and  the  fort  there 
was  no  stockade,  but  the  space  was  laid  out  in  a  beauti- 


398  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Detroit  and  its  Defenses  in  1812. 

fill  esplanade,  where  the  troops  were  drilled  and  exer 
cised.  Then  came  the  fort,  with  its  grass-covered  sides, 
surrounded  by  a  deep  moat.  All  around  the  top  of  the 
fort,  on  the  inside,  were  placed  the  cannon,  alike  for 
destruction  and  defense.  On  the  west  side  of  the  fort 
was  the  cantonment,  built  around  a  neat  court,  with 
gravel  walks  and  shade-trees.  Two  sides  of  the  canton 
ment  were  dwellings  of  the  officers'  and  soldiers'  families, 
and  the  other  two  sides  were  barracks.  At  the  west  end 
of  the  town,  near  the  gate  of  the  stockade,  stood  the  cita 
del,  a  strong  blockhouse,  used  also  for  a  guard-house. 
Along  the  river,  above  and  below  the  city,  were  the 
farms  of  the  inhabitants,  mostly  French,  some  of  whom 
were  devoted  to  the  British,  and  some  to  the  American 
interests. 

"  The  morning  before  the  surrender  was  sultry  in  the 
extreme.  The  sky  was  overspread  with  a  thick  haze,  not 
a  breath  of  wind  lifted  the  drooping  foliage,  and  the 
straggling  rays  of  sunlight  which  now  and  then  pierced 
through  the  gloom,  were  pale  and  sickly.  Humanity 
seemed,  for  once,  in  unison  with  nature — listless  and  un 
happy.  Men  gathered  in  groups  about  the  market-place, 
and  talked  gloomily  of  the  war,  and  their  own  future 
prospects ;  old  women  rocked  to  and  fro,  recalled  their 
superstitions,  and  prophesied  evil  at  hand;  children 
were  uncommonly  peevish;  and  the  usually  bustling 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  399 

Batteries  at  Sandwich— Panic  of  the  Inhabitants. 

housewife,  languid  and  depressed,  shrank  from  the  bur 
den  of  her  daily  duties. 

"  We  had  scarcely-  breakfasted,  when  the  clatter  of  a 
horse's  hoofs  was  heard  along  the  streets,  and  the  sten 
torian  voice  of  an  officer  warned  the  inhabitants  to  seek 
a  place  of  safety,  as  the  batteries  recently  thrown  up  at 
Sandwich  would  probably  soon  open  their  fire  upon  the 
town.  Immediately  all  was  panic  and  confusion ;  women 
bustling  about,  packing  their  valuables  for  removal ; 
men  running  to  and  fro,  seeking  a  retreat  for  those 
dearer  to  them  than  life  ;  crying  infants  clinging  to  their 
half-distracted  mothers,  and  older  children  everywhere 
but  where  they  should  be,  made  the  town  a  second  Babel. 
About  noon  the  inhabitants  began  to  leave  the  town ; 
but,  alas !  where  is  safety  in  the  midst  of  the  stirring 
scenes  of  war  ?  Our  enemies  were  near  us  with  their 
missiles  of  destruction ;  the  forest  swarmed  with  Indians, 
professing  friendliness — yet  who  would  vouch  for  savage 
integrity,  should  the  enemy  gain  the  ascendency?  A 
deep  ravine  on  the  c  Cass  farm,'  a  short  distance  below 
the  city,  then  owned  by  General  McDonald,  seemed  to 
offer  the  best  security,  and  there  the  women  and  children 
were  assembled,  with  a  few  of  the  sterner  sex  for  pro 
tectors. 

"  The  cannonading  commenced  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  and  continued  at  intervals  during  the  night, 


400  EARLY  HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN-. 

British  cannonade  the  Fort  without  effect 

keeping  us  in  constant  alarm,  but  doing  little  injury  on 
either  side.  Often,  while  we  sat  huddled  together  in  the 
ravine,  did  the  ill-directed  balls  from  the  enemy's  can 
non  plow  through  the  orchard,  tearing  up  the  ground, 
but,  fortunately,  doing  no  other  damage.  A  few  shells 
also  burst  near  us,  harmlessly.  Near  midnight,  those 
remaining  in  the  ravine  were  persuaded  to  remove  to  a 
large  stone  root-house  in  the  orchard,  that  we  might  be 
protected  from  the  chilly  dews  of  the  night. 

"  My  health  had  been  failing  for  some  time  previous, 
and  the  fright,  fatigue,  and  bad  air  of  the  crowded  root- 
house,  brought  on  an  illness  so  violent  that  my  friends 
were  obliged  to  convey  me  to  the  dwelling-house,  the 
basement  of  which  we  found  already  crowded.  I  was 
placed  in  an  upper  room,  a  most  dangerous  position, 
as,  it  being  nearly  daybreak,  the  firing  was  more  fre 
quent.  Alarmed  for  the  safety  of  my  two  children,  who 
with  my  mother  had  accompanied  me,  I  prevailed  on 
my  mother  to  leave  me  alone,  and  seek  a  more  secure 
place  for  herself  and  my  little  ones.  My  father  and  hus 
band  were  at  the  fort,  and,  though  my  wants  were  all 
supplied,  none  else  were  willing  to  peril  their  own  lives 
by  remaining  with  me,  as  their  presence  would  be  no 
safeguard  to  my  life.  Hour  after  hour  I  passed  thus 
alone,  listening  to  the  booming  cannon,  and  now  and 
then  starting  and  shrieking  as  a  ball  whizzed  by  the 


EAKLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  401 

British  cross  the  River  at  Springwells, 

house,  sometimes  feeling  almost  sure  that  it  was  a  mark 
for  the  enemy,  and  thinking  perhaps  the  next  shot  would 
terminate  my  existence. 

"  Day  dawned  at  length,  and  the  cannonading  ceased. 
Presently  my  mother  came  to  tell  me  that  the  'red 
coats'  were  crossing  the  river  at  Springwells.  c  Now,' 
said  she,  c  we  shall  be  between  two  fires,  and  where  to 
go  for  safety  I  cannot  tell.'  Her  voice  trembled  with 
emotion,  but  her  tearless  eye  flashed  forth  the  determina 
tion  of  a  resolute  heart.  She  seated  herself  by  a  window 
that  looked  out  on  the  beautiful  Detroit.  Unlike  yester 
day,  not  a  cloud  appeared  on  all  the  face  of  heaven ;  the 
cool  breeze  came  sweeping  up  from  its  lake-bathings, 
rippling  the  river,  and  refreshing  poor  humanity.  The 
glad  song  of  birds  hailed  the  rising  sun,  and  the  green 
herbage  and  the  bright-eyed  flowers  nodded  assent  to  their 
hymn  of  praise.  But  the  reveille  at  the  fort  broke 
harshly  on  the  ear  amid  the  peaceful  beauty  of  nature. 
It  proclaimed  the  fearful  truth  that,  for  glory  or  mam 
mon,  man  will  murder  his  fellow-man,  desolate  the 
homes  of  the  happy,  and  even  himself  rush  into  the  pres 
ence  of  his  Judge.  The  river  below  us  was  thickly 
dotted  with  canoes  and  barges,  filled  with  scarlet-clad 
soldiery,  and  the  reflected  sunbeams  flashed  from  bur 
nished  implements  of  war.  There  was  a  bustle  at  the 

fort,  but  no  forming  of  troops  on  the  esplanade.     At 

26 


402  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Advance  toward  the  Town— No  preparations  for  Defense. 

length  a  cannon  was  placed  at  the  west  gate,  and  small 
detachments  of  troops  were  stationed  here  and  there,  be 
hind  the  strong  picket-fences  that  lined  the  road-side 
from  Springwells  to  Detroit.  The  British  troops,  hav 
ing  breakfasted  only  a  mile  below  us,  formed  and  com 
menced  marching  toward  the  town. 

"  c  "What  ails  our  men !'  exclaimed  my  mother,  as  the 
troops  continued  to  advance  ;  c  why  don't  they  fire  upon 
them  ?' 

"  '  Perhaps  they  might  kill  us,'  I  suggested. 

"  c  We  might  as  well  be  killed,'  she  replied,  c  as  to  fall 
into  the  power  of  the  "  red-coats"  and  Indians.  But  we 
must  try  to  find  a  safer  place  than  this,  for  if  General 
Hull  is  not  a  coward,  we  shall  have  bloody  work 
to-day.' 

"  Supported  by  my  mother,  I  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
foot  of  the  stairs,  where  my  father,  who  had  obtained 
leave  of  absence  from  the  fort  for  half  an  hour,  met  us, 
and,  taking  me  in  his  arms,  carried  me  to  our  old  retreat 
in  the  ravine.  After  telling  me  that  my  husband  was  on 
duty  at  one  of  the  outposts,  he  returned  to  the  fort. 
Kind  friends  made  me  a  bed  on  the  cold  damp  earth, 
my  children  were  brought  to  rne,  and,  when  all  was  done 
for  my  comfort  that  could  be,  my  restless  mother  again 
sought  the  house,  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  bel 
ligerents. 


EAELY   HISTORY   OF  MICHIGAN.  403 

Flags  of  Truce — Disgraceful  surrender — Captain  Snelling. 

"  A  flag  of  truce  was  sent  from  the  fort  across  the  river, 
and  presently  one  of  General  Brock's  aids  galloped  by, 
toward  the  fort,  also  bearing  the  white  flag.  After  a 
short  absence  he  returned,  and  was  sent  a  second  time, 
when  he  was  met  outside  of  the  gate  by  a  deputation 
from  the  fort.  Soon  after,  to  our  utter  dismay,  the 
American  banner  was  hauled  down,  and  a  white  flag,  in 
token  of  surrender,  run  up  in  its  place.  In  the  mean 
time  orders  had  been  issued  to  recall  the  detachments, 
and  Captain  Snelling,  who  stood  at  the  cannon  by  the 
gate,  with  a  lighted  match  in  his  hand  to  fire  the  gun, 
the  report  of  which  had  been  agreed  upon  as  a  signal 
of  attack  by  those  in  ambuscade,  had  the  match  struck 
from  his  hand  by  a  superior  officer,  who,  pointing  to  the 
flag  of  surrender,  told  him  not  to  fire,  at  the  peril  of 
his  life. 

"  Scarcely  were  the  terms  of  capitulation  signed,  before 
the  British  took  possession  of  the  town  and  fort,  and  an 
officer  rode  through  the  lanes  and  orchards,  assuring  the 
trembling  inhabitants  of  protection  from  the  Indians, 
who  were  swarming  in  vast  numbers  in  the  rear  of  the 
British  troops.  There  was  one  universal  burst  of  indig 
nation  from  officers,  soldiers,  and  inhabitants,  at  this  dis 
graceful  surrender,  this  stain  on  our  national  honor. 
General  Hull's  son,  more  brave,  than  his  father,  raved 
and  swore  most  fearfully.  My  father  saw  many  of  the 


404:  EARLY   HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Indignation  of  Officers  and  Inhabitants— General  Brock. 

officers  break  their  swords,  and  weep  over  their  disgrace 
like  little  children. 

"  I  wish,  you  could  have  heard  the  opprobrious  epithets 
that  were  heaped  upon  the  head  of  General  Hull  by  the 
indignant  women.  I  really  believe  they  then  felt  that 
they  preferred  victory,  or  even  an  honorable  defeat,  at 
the  expense  of  life,  to  this  ignoble  surrender.  Nor  could 
they,  even  now,  anticipate  any  safety  for  themselves  and 
their  families.  They  well  knew  that  the  Indian  allies  of 
the  enemy,  greater  in  number  than  the  white  force,  could 
not  be  entirely  controlled  by  the  most  strenuous  efforts 
on  the  part  of  the  commanding  officers,  and  constant  an 
noyance,  pillage,  and  perhaps  massacre,  were  seen  in  the 
murky  vista  of  the  future.  Nor  were  they  mistaken; 
the  ensuing  year  was  one  of  terror. 

"  It  is  true  that  the  orders  of  General  Brock  were  very 
strict ;  he  did  all  he  could  to  protect  us,  and  probably 
prevented  a  general  massacre  of  the  Americans.  Many 
supposed  that  he  dared  not  provoke  the  hostility  of  the 
Indians,  by  punishing  petty  grievances ;  and  whenever 
a  murder  was  committed,  the  murderer  was  kept  out  of 
the  way  till  the  affair  was  forgotten.  Human  life  in 
time  of  war  is  little  valued,  and  it  required  but  a  few 
days  for  a  single  murder  to  be  forgotten,  except  by  the 
immediate  friends  of  the  deceased. 

"  "When  my  father  went  to  his  house  in  town,  the  day 


EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN.  405. 

Sufferings  of  Americans  from  Indian  hostility. 

after  the  surrender,  lie  found  that  it  had  been  broken 
open,  and  plundered  of  every  valuable  article.  Mr. 
McCarty  owned  one  of  those  narrow  farms,  about  a  mile 
below  the  city,  to  which  my  father  removed  what  little 
he  had  left,  and  my  father's  family  and  our  own  remained 
together  till  the  close  of  the  war.  My  husband  and  my 
father  were  prisoners  of  war,  but  were  permitted  to  be 
at  home  most  of  the  time  on  parole.  Three  several 
times  during  the  year  our  house  was  plundered,  and  we 
fared  quite  as  well  as  our  neighbors. 

"  When  winter  came,  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  fuel  in 
the  city  induced  many  families  to  remove  to  their  farms 
in  the  vicinity.  Scarcely  would  they  begin  to  feel  secure 
in  the  enjoyment  of  their  comforts,  when,  perhaps  at 
midnight,  a  band  of  savages  would  enter  the  house,  and 
carry  off  every  thing  that  tempted  their  cupidity.  Happy 
were  the  helpless  families  if  they  escaped  with  life,  for 
the  slightest  offense  was  sure  to  be  punished  by  toma 
hawking  the  offender. 

"  During  the  whole  period  that  the  British  held  posses 
sion  of  Detroit,  while  the  Americans  were  suffering  so 
much,  the  Canadian  families  in  the  vicinity  were  unmo 
lested.  A  red  mark  on  their  sheep  and  cattle,  and  red 
doors  to  their  dwellings,  insured  them  the  respect  ot 
their  Indian  allies.  But  the  Americans  would  not  adopt 
this  expedient.  Perhaps  I  can  best  give  you  an  idea  of 


406  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MICHIGAN. 

Canadian  families  safe— Singular  expedient. 

the  feeling  upon  this  subject  that  prevailed  among  them, 
by  telling  you  a  little  anecdote  of  Mr.  McCarty.  Some 
time  in  the  month  of  October,  a  friendly  Indian  came  to 
our  house,  and  had  a  long  talk  with  my  husband.  My 
sister  and  I  saw  him  glance  at  us,  then  point  to  Mr. 
McCarty,  and  encircle  his  own  crown,  significant  of 
scalping,  but  he  spoke  so  low  that  we  could  not  under 
stand  a  word  he  said.  "When  he  was  gone,  we  anxiously 
inquired  what  news  the  Indian  brought. 

"  c  Do  not  be  alarmed,'  said  my  husband ;  '  Ocomo 
has  only  been  trying  to  convince  me  that,  if  I  wish  to 
escape  the  tomahawk,  I  must  go  to  the  fort.  He  says 
you  women  are  safe,  because  you  are  French,  and  have 
black  eyes  and  hair ;  but  my  blue  eyes  and  light  hair  are 
against  me.' 

"'Why  don't  you  paint  your  door  red?'  asked  my 
sister. 

" '  No  British  red  about  me,  if  I  die  for  it !'  he  indig 
nantly  exclaimed.  This  was  the  general  feeling  among 
the  inhabitants. 

"  The  British  held  possession  of  Detroit  about  a  year. 
They  did  not  seem  to  expect  to  retain  it  so  long,  for  the 
very  next  day  after  the  surrender,  they  commenced  re 
moving  the  military  stores  to  Maiden,  and  for  a  whole 
month  the  river  was  covered  with  small  boats  engaged 
in  the  transportation.  After  two  or  three  months  the 


EAKLY  HISTOKY  OI^MICHIGAN.  407 


News  of  General  Harrison's  approach. 


British  troops  were  withdrawn,  except  a  detachment  at 
the  fort,  and  quite  too  many  of  their  Indian  allies  re 
mained  prowling  about  the  country,  like  ravening 
wolves. 

"It  was  a  long,  weary  year  to  us  poor  inhabitants,  and 
a  joyful  time  when  General  Harrison  came  to  the  rescue. 
The  news  of  his  approach  was  first  brought  by  an  old 
citizen  of  Detroit,  whom  we  had  suspected  of  being  a 
tory,  because  he  was  allowed  greater  privileges  than 
others  who  had  not  taken  up  arms.  This  gentleman, 
who  had  been  a  few  weeks  at  Maiden,  came  riding  by, 
early  one  morning,  on  his  way  home,  when  my  mother 
called  to  him  through  the  lattice,  and  inquired  the 
news. 

" '  Good,'  he  replied,  without  looking  toward  the 
house.  He  passed  on  to  his  own  residence,  put  his  horse 
in  the  stable,  and  seated  himself  on  the  front  piazza, 
without  entering  the  house,  lest  he  might  possibly  excite 
suspicions  that  would  lead  to  a  forcible  communication 
to  the  British  of  General  Harrison's  movements.  If  our 
neighbor  was  indeed  a  tory,  he  seemed  by  his  conduct 
to  have  become  sick  of  British  rule. 

"  About  an  hour  afterward,  my  brother  James  sprang 
through  the  gate  at  the  foot  of  our  garden,  which  ex 
tended  down  the  sloping  bank  to  the  river's  brink,  and 
ran  with  all  speed  into  the  house.  My  father  immedi- 


408  EARLY  HECTOR  Y   OF   MICHIGAN. 

Detroit  retaken  by  the  Americans. 

ately  barricaded  the  door,  and  begged  my  daring  brother 
not  to  go  too  near  the  window-blinds,  lest  he  should  be 
seen  by  the  Indians.  James  .was  an  officer  in  General 
Harrison's  army,  and  so  great  was  his  anxiety  to  know 
the  fate  of  his  father's  family,  from  whom  he  had  long 
been  separated,  that  he  obtained  permission  to  cross  the 
river  a  little  in  advance  of-  the  army,  and  thus  was  the 
first  of  our  deliverers  who  set  foot  on  shore. 

"  General  Harrison  and  his  army  soon  arrived.  The 
Kentucky  soldiers,  who  formed  a  part  of  the  force,  were 
tall,  robust  men,  clad  in  blue  hunting-shirts,  red  belts, 
and  blue  trowsers  fringed  with  red.  This  singular  uni 
form  gave  them  a  demi-savage  appearance.  The  fort 
was  surrendered  after  a  mere  show  of  resistance ;  the 
American  flag  again  floated  in  triumph  over  the  spot 
where  a  year  before  it  had  been  so  shamefully  dishon 
ored,  and  our  joy  was  now  as  enthusiastic  as  then  our  in 
dignation  was  unbounded." 

In  October,  1813,  Colonel  Lewis  Cass,  who  had  ren 
dered  essential  service  to  the  territory,  was  appointed 
Governor  of  Michigan.  The  country  was  in  a  most  de 
plorable  condition.  Devastated  by  war,  overrun  by 
tribes  of  hostile  savages,  and  very  thinly  settled,  it  pre 
sented  a  most  discouraging  theater  for  the  gratification 
of  a  youthful  ambition. 

Immediately  after  the  ratification  of  peace  with  Great 


EARLY   HISTORY    OF   MICHIGAN.  409 

Colonel  Lewis  Cass  appointed  Governor. 

Britain,  in  1815,  Governor  Cass  devoted  his  energies  to 
the  conciliation  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and  so  successful  was 
he  in  controlling  these  savage  hordes,  that  the  period  of 
his  accession  to  the  government  was  the  commencement 
of  a  new  and  prosperous  era  in  the  EARLY  HISTORY  OF 
MICHIGAN. 


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